Hi,
My 6 year old daughter broke her arm yesterday due to a fall from the monkey bars :-( She now has to wear a cast for 4 weeks. She goes to day camp during the summer and they go to the pool 3 days a week, which of course, starts on Monday. I know they advertise "waterproof casts" but I wasn't sure if they actually work. Have any Moms out there used these before? Do they work? Thanks!
My son has broken both his hand and his ankle and yes they work as protection for the cast but it won't keep the water out completely if she puts her whole arm underwater past the top of the cover. So she can go in the water but not go swimming underwater.
The waterproof casts are only an option for some breaks and they will let you know about this when she gets the cast. My DD was not so lucky last year when she broke her arm and ended up in the cast for 6 weeks.
My daughter broke her pinkies 3 times and my broke his wrist once. I got them waterproof casts and wouldn't get anything else. They can bathe and swim in them. Also they come in colors.
The only downside - they have to let them drain after being in water, which is no big deal. They start to smell the very end, and when the cast is being taken off. But I think all casts get a bit stinky.
What you have to watch for when your daughter is swimming is that she is careful around other swimmers. A bonk in the head with a hard cast can knock someone out! Also, if she has her elbow bent in the cast, she may have a hard time swimming and should stay where she can easily touch bottom.
I just noticed you asked about cast covers, not casts. If she already has a traditional cast on, you should be able to go back to your doctor and have them cut it off and put a waterproof cast on. I doubt any cast cover could work for swimming. If your doctor doesn't offer them, plenty of orthopedic surgeons do. But insurance does not cover the additional cost of waterproof casts, so it would be an expense, as another mom mentioned. But it is well worth it. I can't imagine trying to keep a 6-year-old away from pools and sprinklers all summer!
Wow, I didn't even know they had casts such as that. My son broke his left arm July 2007 and it was sooo hard keeping him away from the water so I know how you feel. He once again is in a cast but he is supposed to get it off this week. I just say, do your research and find out as much as possible. If it is in your budget it sounds like a great idea to me. We have membership to our local YMCA so we have all had to keep from swimming so he wouldn't have to feel left out. That has been hard, I wish I'd have known about waterproof casts. :)
Have you tried Fashions For Casts tm? They offer the largest selection of fashion cast covers for kids and adults, and at the best price, too. Over 30 styles in the collection. Designed to keep your cast clean, smooth, snag-free and fashionable, too. FashionsForCasts.com
I not exactly sure if you are asking about a cast cover for keeping it dry or a waterproof cast. I do know they make a waterproof cast and that they do work...you just drain them after swimming, showering, whatever. When they put on the bottom layer of the cast (closest to skin) there is this layer that sort of reminded me of bubble wrap and that is the waterproof stuff. I would be more likely to go with this then to try anything with just a cover. I know it's like 3 or 4 bucks more for the waterproof...but very well worth it.(They won't do a waterproof one if there are stiches though...) Good luck to your daughter...
The waterproof cast covers that we sell at the pharmacy where I work are meant to be used for a quick shower...not a swim in a pool. I am afraid that if she tried to do much more than stand around in some waist deep water...the "waterproof" cast wouldn't do its' job. I dont know if adding another layer of protection, such as a a small trash bag put on before you put the cast cover on. If the cast does get wet you are going to have to go through all of the trouble ( and expense) of having it replaced.
Im sure casts have come a long way since I was in school and had a broken leg. But unfortunately I had to sit out from swimming all summer =). My thought on it, even if there is a water proof cast, you still dont want it getting moist in the cast, lord knows how much bacteria can grow down there. Just the moisture from sweat alone can be pretty disgusting.
They make cast covers that work great. Look for SEAL-TIGHT Cast Protectors.
My daughter had to have a waterproof cast twice. It worked great. The only thing to watch out for is going swimming in a lake. The bacteria from the lake can get trapped in the cast. So stick to pools. Have a great summer.
About 5 years ago my daughter broke her leg playing soccer during the summer. She had a waterproof cast and was able to swim in our pool all summer. It did start to smell after a while but she had a type of break that every couple of weeks they changed the cast anyway. Good Luck and God Bless!
I am an orthopaedic nurse and our office does offer the Gortex "waterproof" cast. The Insurance companies are not covering this option because it is a luxury.
And i will tell you that every fracture is not eligible for the waterproof cast. It all depends on the severity of the fracture, so you may not have the option to have this. The doctor will make that call.
Also the waterproof cast has to get wet everyday in clean water. No creeks, oceans, rivers, lakes or hot tubs. The bacteria in these dirty waters can cause infection and a VERY stinky cast. Pools and tap water is acceptable and it doesn't matter how wet you get it. The child can swim all day. The waterproof cast does float in a swimming pool and is totally submergable in water. This time of year, it is warm enough that the cast dries out pretty good. During the winter months the cast can stay wet and cold. The blow dryer can be used on the cool setting if you wish. Another nice thing about the water cast, is if it is itching you can run water down the cast to help relieve the itchyness.
All casts stink no matter what option you choose.
Hope this helps.
My son broke his arm last summer. He had a waterproof cast from his wrist to his shoulder and swam everywhere with it. He used it to support himself climbing in and out of the pool, running through fountains and playing on our waterslide at home. No problems at all--except the stink, but a dry cast would has been stinky in the summer, also.
My mom broke her wrist last year and had one and it worked really well.
When our son broke his arm, a couple years ago, we had a water proof cast out on. It was awesome. The entire thing could be immersed in water. HOWEVER, our insurance would not cover the cost of the cast and we had to pay $50 or $75 of the cost.
He was 8 and it was summer so it was worth EVERY penny we had to pay. He could shower, run through the sprinkler, go to the pool etc... When he was finished being wet, we had him hold his arm upside down, for the water to drain out and he was off and running.
We tried the covers and they are not really effective. Plus our son had no use of his hand, while the cover was on, because it was like placing a big rubber bag over his hand and arm.
They do cost more money than the regular casts. Also after they are wet, you still have to dry them with a blow dryer. I didn't want to mess with that, so I got the regular cast and wrapped it in saran wrap and then put a bag over. No water ever touched the cast and I didn't have to spend time drying. Never did understand it's waterproof but when wet, you have to dry it anyways.
One more thing, it's usually NOT covered by insurance.
Hey so someone is in the same boat as me!!! Unfortunately one of my boys had a date w the monkey bars and the other with the slide, 2weeks apart of course!!! When we went they said the waterproof used gortex lined instead of cotton? and it was an extra 33 dollars(not covered by ins)
, since I sew diapers and sometimes use gortex 33 dollars a yard is highway robbery so I opted against it, thankfully because if the cast gets wet the cast it gets soft, it wasn't explained very well about the diff, and on my older son the gortex wasn't an option as it wasn't hard enough but on his 2nd cast it was, but I didn't take it. I would ask if the gortex is adhered to the actual cast material or if it is like a glove, if it is adhered then maybe, if it is a glove then don't. They didn't make me feel like the waterproof cast enabled you to swim or completely submerge your cast? BTW they do have some sort of ballooney thing to put around the cast and blow up at the medical store.
I would ask the orthopedic doctor about this. The "waterproof" cast is probably for short showers? not completely submerging and arm in water (swimming) for lengths of time???
Good Morning A., WOW poor little angel!! I had know idea they even made cast protectors, so I looked them up on google. Geeez there are lots of ads for them. I even asked hubby how to make a cast water proof lollll I have No idea unless ya wrap it in plastic...lol
If you have found one and they guarantee it does what it is supposed to do, get it. It would be awful to have to watch the other kids in the pool for 4 wks. :(
Hope you get better advice and information from the other Wise Mama's out there.
God Bless you with a wonderful SONday
K. Nana of 5
The water proof cast with the gortex was wonderful. We did have to pay $25 out of pocket for it but it was well worth it. They encourage you to get it wet as it helps cut down on the dead skin and smell of the traditional cast and even the itching.
