It's amazing to consider how well our body can recover from a fall, crash, accident or stunt with the right treatment and care. I've been serving the medical community for many years, particularly orthopedic physicians and clinics, and I've seen patients with broken arms and broken legs recover from all sorts of crazy things - from a snowmobiler who didn't quite make the jump over the ravine to a kid who tried to jump his bike off the garage, onto the trampoline and into the pool and fell short.

If you're strung up in an arm cast or leg cast for the next few weeks, here are a few cast care tips that will help you recover smart and mend your bone the right way:

* You can use a hair dryer on a cool setting to blow air into the arm cast and cool down hot, itchy skin. Over-the-counter oral medications such as Benadryl can be helpful.

* Do not put powders or lotions inside the cast.

* For cast protection, cover the cast opening while eating to prevent food spills and crumbs from entering the cast.

* Elevate the arm or leg cast above the level of the heart as much as possible to decrease swelling.

* If you have an arm cast and are using an arm sling for support, place a towel or cloth under the strap behind the neck to prevent the skin from becoming sore, if the sling does not have a pad provided.

* If you have a foot or leg cast, do not walk around or put weight on it without your doctor's permission. Make sure to wear the cast shoe your doctor gives you and, if using crutches, make sure they are adjusted properly for maximum support.

* Move your fingers for an arm cast or toes for a leg cast to promote circulation to control swelling and exercise the muscles. If exercise causes pain, alert your doctor.

* Once you get used to your cast, be extra careful not to get complacent. A cast in good condition will help your recovery.

* If sweating causes mold or mildew to develop under the cast, call the doctor as soon as you can smell it or any other odor coming from your arm cast or leg cast.

* Search online for cast accessories. You'll find products that will help you keep it dry in the shower or pool, e.g., one that uses a vacuum to draw in cool air to prevent itching and shrinkable cast covers with fun designs that shrink on your cast to help keep it clean.

I hope these cast care tips will be helpful as you mend your bone. Remember to consult your physician with any questions you have about your cast or recovery.