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Spica Cast Care

• Keeping the cast dry is very important. It prevents skin irritation and breakdown. It also prevents cast odors.
• These steps and supplies have proven to be effective in preventing urine and stool from staining the cast.

1. Place a POISE Bladder control pad front to back around the baby's bottom and up under the cast. In the young infant who is less than 1 year, it should just reach the top cast.
2. Next fit a small diaper (in young infants the newborn size fits well) under cast and tucked around the sides.
3. Finally a larger size diaper fits over the cast and keeps everything in place.

• It is important to check/change the diaper frequently. It may be necessary to only change the POISE pad with each diaper change.
• If urine or stool leakout of the diaper and up under the cast, clean the skin well with a damp washcloth or diaper wipe.  Examine the skin every day.
• For skin beakdown, a thin layer of Desitin may be used on diaper rash.  Do not use babypowder under the cast.
• Gortex lined casts may be wiped with a damp washcloth to clean.
• Check the baby's toes/feet to make sure they are warm, have good color and are not swollen.
• Do not pull the padding out of the cast.
• Make sure that the child does not put any objects down the cast.
  

Please call us if you have any questions or concerns.

Division of Pediatric Orthopaedics
Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital of New York
3959 Broadway, 8th Floor
New York City 10032
phone 212-305-5475
fax 212-305-8271