Anonymous
Post 07/23/2020 16:40     Subject: Experience with waterproof casts?
Anonymous wrote:This happened to us last summer. My child was given a waterproof cast, but because the cast extended above the elbow, we opted to use a cast cover to protect the skin in the elbow crease. We had friends who had skin breakdown under a cast and got a nasty skin infection requiring antibiotics because the waterproof cast didn’t drain well. If the cast is just a forearm cast, I likely would allow my child to go into the pool as the there is not bend in the elbow to trap water. (Water will still be inside the cast though, just a straighter way for it to drain, if that makes sense.

This is the cast cover we used, recommended by a doctor and a PA. It is excellent. FWIW, I am a physical therapist so have experience with casting and patients with casts.

Bloccs Waterproof Cast Covers for Shower Arm, Child Small Full Arm

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007UONMJU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_gnxgFbGTGBF2Z


I used the waterproof cast cover with waterproof tape And I was able to go to the beach and swim in the pool. It saved summer! https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/company-us/all-3m-products/~/Nexcare-Absolute-Waterproof-Tape/?N=5002385+3294631805&rt=rud
Anonymous
Post 07/23/2020 16:36     Subject: Re:Experience with waterproof casts?
My daughter broke both her ulna and radius one summer. The ortho told us that not all fractures allow for waterproof casts- I guess depends on how they have to set the break? Luckily, hers did so we got the waterproof one. Make sure to ask if it’s feasible. What we found was that using the waterproof arm bag, as others have said, was helpful for daily showers because you do have to drain the arm each time you get it wet (her cast was a full arm cast), and that was a pain. She didn’t use the bag to swim and just let the cast drain but we weren’t at the pool daily.
Anonymous
Post 07/23/2020 15:50     Subject: Experience with waterproof casts?
OP here, thank you everyone!
Anonymous
Post 07/23/2020 08:09     Subject: Re:Experience with waterproof casts?
We got the waterproof cast for our son bc he’s a year round swimmer. The doc said to blow it dry every time to prevent rashes. We then bought the cast bags from amazon that keeps casts dry. Get two with good reviews so you always have a dry one.

Using the amazon bag, the cast never was wet at all and we didn’t even need the waterproof cast.
Anonymous
Post 07/23/2020 07:36     Subject: Re:Experience with waterproof casts?
Our daughter her had cast done at Inova Fairfax in their ortho department and we went with the water one and it was amazing! I think it was like $50 more than the regular cast?
Anonymous
Post 07/23/2020 07:31     Subject: Experience with waterproof casts?
7:28 PP — forgot to mention that with the above elbow (full arm) waterproof cast that was applied — the technician cut out a square notch near the elbow to allow for water to drain. She said it wouldn’t drain it entirely, but would help. Maybe you can ask if that is possible. My son kept that piece ! We were at PSV in Fairfax.
Anonymous
Post 07/23/2020 07:28     Subject: Experience with waterproof casts?
This happened to us last summer. My child was given a waterproof cast, but because the cast extended above the elbow, we opted to use a cast cover to protect the skin in the elbow crease. We had friends who had skin breakdown under a cast and got a nasty skin infection requiring antibiotics because the waterproof cast didn’t drain well. If the cast is just a forearm cast, I likely would allow my child to go into the pool as the there is not bend in the elbow to trap water. (Water will still be inside the cast though, just a straighter way for it to drain, if that makes sense.

This is the cast cover we used, recommended by a doctor and a PA. It is excellent. FWIW, I am a physical therapist so have experience with casting and patients with casts.

Bloccs Waterproof Cast Covers for Shower Arm, Child Small Full Arm

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007UONMJU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_gnxgFbGTGBF2Z
Anonymous
Post 07/23/2020 07:08     Subject: Re:Experience with waterproof casts?
Anonymous wrote:I posted my experience in another thread recently. I broke my hand and had a waterproof cast that came up to my mid forearm for two to three weeks. One thing to note is it’s not the cast itself that is any different—it’s the same fiberglass for all casts but the “sock” underneath is made of mesh that lets the water in and out, instead of cotton (I think?) that doesn’t wick.

I had no issues and it was 100% worth it for the ~$30 I paid out of pocket for it. Being able to shower without thinking twice was super convenient, it felt so good to get hot water on my skin, and it kept itching totally at bay. It was super comfortable. I had no issues with it drying quickly after a shower, I just let the water drain out super well and didn’t bother with a blow dryer or anything. My skin after the cast was off was really dry and gross feeling, with built up dead skin that was kind of smelly, but I think that’s a universal cast experience because the skin can’t shed.

After my experience, unless the doctor didn’t recommend it for some reason I wouldn’t hesitate for a second to get it for my kid, especially in the middle of pool season.


This was my experience as well when I had a broken wrist. I was on vacation and the first cast I got was not waterproof as they didn't do it in the small town we were in. I went to Ortho VA when we got back and they recasted with a waterproof one. Worth every penny, although I don't remember it being much. I did use a hair dryer on cool setting to dry after getting it wet. I just didn't like the wet feeling while it dried. I was in a cast for 10 weeks so being able to get it wet was huge.

I would get the kid a waterproof cast in a heartbeat.
Anonymous
Post 07/23/2020 05:18     Subject: Re:Experience with waterproof casts?
I posted my experience in another thread recently. I broke my hand and had a waterproof cast that came up to my mid forearm for two to three weeks. One thing to note is it’s not the cast itself that is any different—it’s the same fiberglass for all casts but the “sock” underneath is made of mesh that lets the water in and out, instead of cotton (I think?) that doesn’t wick.

I had no issues and it was 100% worth it for the ~$30 I paid out of pocket for it. Being able to shower without thinking twice was super convenient, it felt so good to get hot water on my skin, and it kept itching totally at bay. It was super comfortable. I had no issues with it drying quickly after a shower, I just let the water drain out super well and didn’t bother with a blow dryer or anything. My skin after the cast was off was really dry and gross feeling, with built up dead skin that was kind of smelly, but I think that’s a universal cast experience because the skin can’t shed.

After my experience, unless the doctor didn’t recommend it for some reason I wouldn’t hesitate for a second to get it for my kid, especially in the middle of pool season.
Anonymous
Post 07/23/2020 00:54     Subject: Experience with waterproof casts?
Teach your kid to be less wild and stay home so we can get COVID to pass quicker.
Anonymous
Post 07/23/2020 00:45     Subject: Experience with waterproof casts?
Keep the cast and go on Amazon and buy one of the waterproof cast bag things. I can’t remember what they’re called but they work. Saved us when my nephew broke his wrist 2 days before our beach trip last summer.
Anonymous
Post 07/23/2020 00:23     Subject: Experience with waterproof casts?
I’ve seen kids with waterproof type casts develop ugly skin infections underneath the cast - wet, warm and dark spaces are loved for bacterial and fungal growths. Maybe would be better to avoid a lot of physical activity that might cause more trauma to the wrist.
Anonymous
Post 07/22/2020 23:08     Subject: Experience with waterproof casts?
DD didn’t actually like getting hers too wet. She said it felt weird and itchy. It did seem to dry out quickly, so she didn’t complain for long. We kept her out of swim lessons during that time. This was in the winter, though, so we didn’t have the added issue of missing out on the summer pool.
Anonymous
Post 07/22/2020 22:31     Subject: Experience with waterproof casts?
Our six year old son broke his wrist today. We took him to Children’s National and he’s now in a regular cast for four weeks. We are devastated as We have a pool membership and have been totally basing our daily routine around pool visits. My wild and hyper boys will go crazy without the pool for four weeks. Does anyone Know a good Ortho with experience with children Who offers waterproof casts? I’m wondering if I can do a casting redo? children’s doesn’t offer waterproof casts, which I didn’t know when I went there. Also, anyone have experience with waterproof casts? They sound amazing but maybe they’re not all they’re cracked up to be? Thanks.