Two important things that you don't learn in the Fracture Clinic

Maybe they're self evident, or maybe I've just forgotten since it happened 13 years ago, but...

1. Don't feel the need to exfoliate as soon as the plaster comes off.  After doing so - even gently - give it 10 min. and you'll feel as though you've had a nasty dose of sunburn and that'll last for days. Wash by all means, but it's allowed to stay (relatively) manky for a while until nature takes its course.

2. Don't believe those who tell you there's no need to wear some sort of support thing for a while - in the case of a lower leg in plaster then the anti-DVT socks work just fine.  Whenever a plaster comes off there's loads of swelling as the fluid hangs around where the muscle used to be. It's only temporary, and it disappears overnight whilst you're lying flat, but, if you're like me and want to start *doin'* straight away after you're liberated, then you'll find that, after getting out of bed, the affected limb starts to swell quite dramatically - the more so as you try to use it more and more.  Help control it with some support clothing.

For those with sunburn and swelling...then, of course, you're welcome to join my club.  We will know better next time, won't we? :)