Long bone fracture

Relative rest, elevation, cautious use of cryotherapy (ice application), and appropriate analgesics are important. The patient must be instructed in proper care of the splint or cast, and in proper use of crutches or other assistive devices as appropriate. It is also important to counsel the patient regarding safety in activities of daily living (e.g., a person with a healing stress fracture of the left tibia may be perfectly able to drive a car safely, but a person wearing a left long leg cast should not drive).