Broken Arm..blue fingers..help?

Question

My left arm broke and my cast is spread from elbow to 1/3 of my fingers.. doc said to wiggle my fingers to help the blood circulate but I only do this every few minutes cause I keep forgetting..should I just wiggle them the whole time? They look so pale and feel cold compared to my right hands fingers.

how do I get them warm and not blue?

Answer 1

Exercise the fingers on a regular basis. Don't prop your arm so your fingers are the highest point. (it's harder for blood to flow uphill) Hold you fingers with your right hand to warm them up.

One site suggested:

"Circulation Checks

When there is a cast in place, it is important to check the function of the nerves and blood vessels. Your child's fingers and toes should be pink and feel warm to the touch. A gentle squeeze should cause the finger to blanch (turn white) followed by a return of color when released. Your child should be able to feel all sides of his/her fingers when touched. Your child should also be able to wiggle his/her toes or fingers.
When to Call the Doctor

1. If toes or fingers are cold to touch, appear pale, or blue.
2. If child complains of tingling and/or numbness of toes or fingers.
3. If child cannot move toes or fingers.
4. If toes or fingers become very swollen.
5. If your child complains of rubbing or burning under the cast. This can be a sign of a pressure sore (especially over the heel or ankle).
6. If there is a foul smell from the cast or if staining of the cast occurs that was not present when the child went home. This may be a sign of a pressure sore and should be checked by your doctor.
7. If there is a breakdown of skin under the edge of the cast.
8. If the cast is too loose or too tight.
9. If the cast breaks, becomes soft or cracks, or wears out prematurely.
10. If the cast is soaked (non-waterproof) and does not dry with a vacuum or blow dryer on the cold setting."
http://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/health/info/orthopaedics/home/cast-care.htm

Answer 2

Blue Arm Cast

Answer 3

Blue Fingers

Answer 4

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Broken Arm..blue fingers..help?
My left arm broke and my cast is spread from elbow to 1/3 of my fingers.. doc said to wiggle my fingers to help the blood circulate but I only do this every few minutes cause I keep forgetting..should I just wiggle them the whole time? They look so pale and feel cold compared to my right hands...

Answer 5

Read #1 on Icabob carefully. If your fingers are cold, pale, nailbeds pale, or blue; this is a sign the cat has become too tight and this is actually an emergency. You need to go to the ER and they need to "bivalve" the cast (cut it along the sides) to relieve the pressure. Even if you are not sure it is better to go to the ER and let them check--if you ignore this you could get gangrene & lose your fingers.
Hope it all turns out good!

Answer 6

You should go back to see the doctor, because it sounds as if the cast might be to tight or something else could be wrong. Or maybe you are not propping your arm up or not using the sling he gave you or should have given you.