The hip spica cast will is put on in the operating room while your child is still asleep.
Your child will go to the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU). Recovery time depends on:
- How fast your child wakes up from anesthesia
- How much pain medicine they need in the recovery room.
You can be with your child in the recovery room when the nurse feels it is safe.
Your child will go to a hospital room when it is safe. Here your child will have a full assessment by the nurse. This includes:
- Taking your child’s temperature, pulse, respiratory rate, and blood pressure
- Checking the intravenous (IV) site and line
- Checking the cast
- Checking for pain
A waterproof plastic tape will be put on your child’s cast around the genital area. This helps prevent it from getting wet and dirty. The waterproof tape can be washed with soap and water.
The edges of the cast will be sealed with adhesive tape petals. This prevents the edges of the cast around the stomach from irritating the skin. It also limits plaster crumbs in the bed.
A colorful fiberglass cover is added to the cast before your child goes home. This offers one more layer of protection.
Things to expect:
- Your child will be lying on pillows in the hip spica cast. Smaller children will be propped sitting upright. This helps with optimal positioning to get the hips down into the cast.
- Your child will have an IV. It is started in the operating room. They have it until they drink adequate fluids and are eating. Talk with your child’s nurse before giving them fluids and food. They will get clear liquids (ice chips, water, 7-UP®, or popsicles) first. Then, they slowly get more fluids and food.
- The nurses measures how much your child drinks and pees.
- Your child may have nausea or vomit. Medicines can be given to help.
- Your child may have pain or muscle spasms. The nurse will give pain medicine in the IV or by mouth. Pain medicine will be started as soon as possible. It will be given as often as needed. It is important that you, and your child if possible, tell your care team about pain. This will help your nurse better care for your child.
- The nurse will check your child's vital signs often. They will also check their toes for color, movement, sensation, and warmth. Toes should be warm and pink with good blood return.
- Your child may have some drainage through the cast. This is normal. The nurses will check it to be sure it does not increase.
- Your child may have edema (swelling) in the genitals. This is normal due some surgical incisions near the genital area. Use ice and elevate the site to help with swelling and pain.
- X-rays may be taken. This may be in PACU or after your child is in their hospital room.