How do you get comfy with a huge cast?

[Hemskis]

I had extensive foot surgery on Wednesday and I'm really struggling. I have a temporary cast with a huge backslab which is really heavy. I'm under orders to elevate the foot as much as possible and I have a special wedge pillow to do this. I just can't get comfortable though. It feels like it's running on the foot, the edges bite into my leg, my knee hurts. I'm just feeling so fed up. How the heck can you get comfy? Do I just suck this up until Wednesday when the stitches come out and I get a new cast? After that I have another 5 weeks in a cast before getting a boot.

Sounds tough, ds had a broken elbow last year and spent 6 whole weeks in a wrist to shoulder heavy backslab with lots of bandaging. Can't remember why the Dr said he couldn't use a normal cast.

It might be comfier to elevate the whole leg rather than just the foot? This might take pressure off your knee (but hopefully not onto your hips).

Is your foot very swollen? A backslab is meant to allow for swelling, but if your foot is very swollen or the cast is not put on correctly, the cast could dig in and cause sores.
Make sure you foot is elevated above the height of your hip. Put an extra pillow under the wedge if you need to and support your knee with a pillow or two as well.
Don't forget to take painkillers regularly.
If none of this helps I would phone the ward you were on and get the cast checked to make sure its not rubbing and that your foot is not infected.
Hope you feel better soon.

My son is currently in a thigh to toe cast. The first week was awful, he was in si much pain and extremely uncomfortable. In the end we took him back, the cast was removed and replaced, he's been fine since.
If painkillers aren't helping, get the cast checked.
Wishing you a speedy recovery

Thank you everyone. I've had a good cry and dh has helped distract me. I think I will call the ward in the morning. It probably doesn't help that I was on the same painkillers before surgery to help desk with the pain the surgery is supposed to fix so my body is already used to a fair bit of codeine