Petrie Cast Care
What can I expect after my child has been placed in a Petrie cast?
Your child has been placed in a Petrie cast to keep the ball of the femur (the thigh bone) in the hip socket. He / she will adjust to the position shortly, and will be able to resume many normal activities.
Your support in helping your child adjust is very important. If your son or daughter had surgical release of some of the tight structures about the hip, you may see some swelling near his / her groin areas, or private parts, for three to six weeks. If the swelling becomes worse or does not decrease after this time, notify your child's doctor.
How should I care for my child?
- The cast should be kept dry and clean. If the cast is damp, you may use a hair dryer set on the cool setting and blow under the cast. Never use a warm hair dryer as it may burn your child's skin.
- Changing your child's position every four hours during waking hours will help prevent pressure sores from developing as well as help with circulation and lung functioning. The bar between your child's casted legs may be used to help when turning him / her from front to back.
- Place a pillow under the thigh / hip line of the cast when positioning your child on his / her belly.
- When positioning patient for sleeping you can lay them on his/her belly placing a pillow under the thigh/hip line and under the chest, this can help prevent muscle spasms in the groin area while sleeping
- While on his / her belly, check the skin under the edges of the cast for any signs of redness or drainage.
- Clean the skin with soap and water, dry well and then wipe the skin around the edges of the cast with an alcohol-soaked cotton ball. This procedure will help dry and toughen the skin and reduce irritation.
- Your child's nurse will also show you how to petal the cast with moleskin to reduce irritation of the cast edges.
What type of activities will my child be able to do?
Your child will need to follow his / her doctor's activity recommendations for the best healing to take place. Your doctor may recommend:
- Bed rest
- Wheelchair only
- Up with crutches / walker
- Weight bearing as tolerated
Will I need home medical equipment to care for my child?
Medical equipment you may need at home to help care for your child includes:
- Walker
- Wheelchair
- Hospital bed with trapeze
- Bedpan / urinal
Ask your child's doctor or nurse to suggest a home medical equipment company for your use.
How should I transport my child?
Your child should always wear restraints while riding in a vehicle. If your present method of restraint will not work with your child's cast, there are special needs restraints available for rental from Easter Seals.
Your child's nurse will help you determine the safest restraint to use. If the Easter Seals seat is needed, the nurse will provide instruction, and help you complete the paperwork for the rental.
The restraint used may be one of the following:
- Shoulder / lap restraint
- E-Z-ONTM Vest
- Car seat
- Snug Seat" Spelcast Car Seat
How is the Petrie cast removed?
When it is time to remove the Petrie cast, your child may be hospitalized for a few days for removal, physical therapy and whirlpool.
Some children may experience muscle spasms after the cast is removed, while other children may have pain due to stiffness of the knees and ankles. If your child is in the hospital, traction may be applied for comfort. When your child has achieved sufficient motion of the legs, his / her doctor will have you continue with therapy at home or by outpatient physical therapy.
Contact Us
If you need to reach the Orthopaedic Nurse before 4 pm, Monday through Friday, please call 513-636-4567. After 4 pm, and during weekends and holidays, please call 513-636-4200 and ask that the Orthopaedic Resident on call be paged.
For additional information on this or any health topic, please call the Family Resource Center, 513-636-7606, or your pediatrician.
Patient Education Program V 4151 5/01
rev. 11/08, 8/07
