Orthopedic Tip Sheets: Caring For Pins, Casts, Splints & Crutches

Your child recently had an orthopedic injury. They have sprained their ankle or broken their wrist. They’ve gone to the physician and gotten a treatment plan. Now, it’s time to go home. But what do you do now?

The original trauma and pain may be over, but your child may not be completely healed — especially if they have received pins, a cast, a splint, or crutches.

After-pin care, casts, splints, and crutches require careful use and supervision. If not used correctly, your child may have a slower healing time or an increased risk of reinjury.

The orthopedics team at Children’s Nebraska will work with you and your child to make sure that you know how to use and care for everything correctly. We have also put together these general guidelines for after-pin care, cast and splint care, and crutch use.