Any input on full arm cast covers? for getting wet?

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

Hi again,

DS has a shoulder to wrist cast on his arm and we're going to Disney in 2 weeks! Saw his doc today and he said DS could use a waterproof cover but still couldn't immerse himself in the water. Then the guy who actually put the cast on DS's arm said "just stay out of the water altogether".

So I don't know - does anyone have experience with these? It would be great if DS could at least splash around in a pool.

http://www.desertmedicalessentials.com/index.php?cPath=74

Thanks!

 

[madenon]

Hi LTS&A,

there are a couple of things you can do;

some getting wet isn't a big drama. I've been in and out of casts like others might wear pants, and they will get some rain on it every now and then. As long as it isn't a big gush of water but just some drips; it'll dry up with no damage.

there are special easy-to-use covers available at pharmacies. There are the ones you linked (haven't got experience with those) and there are those who don't work with vacuum. They are a bit expensive (for an arm they're about €25,-, which is about $34,- overhere), but can be a great help for teenagers who jump around and aren't that carefull or patient. You can shower while using these covers, so rain and a wet ride will also do. Swimming with it? Wouldn't give it a try if your DS wants to have his arm in the water.

With the vacuum ones I would ask if there could be any effects of long term use (for instance; if he want's to go to a waterpark all day) on circulation. That's what pops up in my mind, but I could be wrong off course.

Another option that can be used is making a cover yourself. It depends on how good your sowing (spelling????) is, or he can use a disposable (large!) bag. He wouldn't be able to use it a long time due to circulation, but it would do fine for a shower, going out during big amounts of rain etc. Just tie the bag securely above the cast, and make sure you do this at 2 different points (if some water were to get in at the first, the second will still keep his arm dry)

I use the disposable bag most time for showers and/or rain. Don't even tie it down when going outside in the rain, I just tuck the ends in, in the pants, sweater or t-shirt. When outside with a small drop of rain and no bag? I just protect the body-part with a plaster on it (for instance; if it is on the right leg, I cover it with the left). Pull my pants, shirt or sweater down a bit more and it keeps the most moist out. The small drops it does get, will dry up quickly. Just make sure he doesn't lean on the cast while it has some drops on it (this can change the shape!) or feels moist.

 

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

Thanks madenon, for all the great information!

I'll take a look at the pharmacies and see if I can find the bag like you mentioned, I'd like to see it.

With the vacumn sealed bag, I did read that you need to take it off every 45 minutes, so you are right on about the circulation thing.

I can sew so that's an idea too, for just a cover. Thanks for the tip about securing it in two places, I would not have thought of that. Also for the explanation about getting slightly wet and not changing the position of the cast while it's moist, didn't know that either. I've never had a cast and this is a first for my kids.

I would love to try the vacumn one. The doc said he can't go fully in the water but it'd be ok to splash around with one of those on. Maybe it'd be better to stay away from the pools as I'm not so sure DS would not end up getting it underwater, no matter what I say. I just feel heartbroken for him that he'll miss out on the great pools. Good thing we did a waterpark last trip because we won't even try that this year.

I really do appreciate your help!

 

[madenon]

Telling a kid he should get out of the water after 45 minutes with the waterparks Disney has, that's cruel. Or is that just my like of these kinds of parks talking now? Anyhow, I think you'll have your hands full with that 45 minute rule, as will he. Better than nothing, but also so bad to taste a slide, want to go on again and have to stop. Maybe you can make a combination? For instance, go to a waterpark in the morning for 45 minutes, than go to MK, Epcot etc. and go back for a 45 minutes in the evenings?

Where you there when they put the plaster on? They do that whit getting the plaster totally wet. While it's wet they can mould it into the right shape and angle. That's the trick with plaster; it gets soft when wet. That's why a plaster is still moist the first day or so after getting it put on. It's a great system for putting it on, but a risk when using it in a rainy place. (know all about it, with al the rain we've had overhere) As long as he understands a moist cast has to be treated more carefully you'll be safe. If he doesn't; be annoying as hell to get the cover on each time it rains or he goes in a wet ride. Better an annoying mum, than having to get another plaster during a stay at WDW.

Good tip; cushion! Take it with you guys everywhere. Let him rest his arm on it, also if he uses a sling. It is an easier rest (also for neck and back) and if the cast is a bit moist, itll help prevent re-shaping if he tends to lean on it a bit without thinking about it.

 

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

Telling a kid he should get out of the water after 45 minutes with the waterparks Disney has, that's cruel.

Yep, it would be. We love the waterparks too and there's no way DS could control himself there. We were trying to decide between a waterpark or going to SeaWorld one day so we just decided to go to SeaWorld instead!
But I'd still like him to be able to go into the resort pool, it would be so sad not to at least do that!

I was there when they put the plaster on. Is that why they tell you if it gets wet it will have to be replaced? Because he might change the position it dries in? And then I guess not heal correctly? I should have asked them.

Thanks for the cushion tip, he does have a sling he's using.

It seems like when we're going to WDW, there's always something that happens . . . just to make it more "interesting".

 

[Hannathy]

I certainly wouldn't let a child with a full arm cast go into a pool while on vacation unless you want to give up a day to go have it replaced if he slips and goes under water or the cover leaks. Sometimes things just happen and we have to accept it, plenty of kids end up spending the summer in casts and can't do what they love. He will be at Disney with a lot of other great things to do so it ought to be easy to down play the pool.

 

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

Yes, I know he may just "accidently" go under with that arm, these vacumn sealed covers say you can be immersed with them, but hoped to hear someone with actual experience using one. I really don't want to spend a day in an Orlando emergency room

I had a plan to take afternoon breaks at the pool but that kinda went out the window. Will have to come up with something else. I really hate the timing of this

 

[Hannathy]

Yeah it is rotten timing! But when do kids ever have good timing getting hurt or sick. The little girl 2 doors down from us fell off her swing and broke both arms so she is going to be spending 1/2 the summer in 2 casts! As she says she may as well be in school. And it doesn't get any better m as they get older my DD's (in High school) good friend and excellent viola player fell at Boy Scouts and broke both wrists just as concert and competition season was in full swing, talk about practicing all year for nothing. The fun never stops with kids.

 

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

OMG, all those poor kids! Not that it's a good thing but it actually makes me feel a little better that we aren't alone in having a problem like this

It's funny but this is the first time it's been one of the kids for us, that causes a situation. A few trips ago DH tore up some ligaments in his leg and had to use an ECV for the whole trip. Last big trip I came down with Labyrinthitis right before we left so everything was either spinning, or I felt like I was trying to walk on a moving boat!

We still had fun though and I'm sure DS will too.

 

[kmjmom]

If you go to drycast.com, they sell cast protectors that are for swimming. I recently purchased the leg one for showering. It works great!! No leaks at all. It was my Dr.'s office that recommended them. Good luck!!

 

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

kmjmom,

Thanks! I just looked at the website and that might work . I'm not sure about the measurement, he's in between sizes so I'll call and talk to them tomorrow. Yay, happy to have found you, someone who has used these things. I'm still not wanting him to immerse his arm but hopefully he'll be able to play in the water a bit. You've made me feel much better about trying one of these. It'll be great for showers too

 

[kmjmom]

It's tough enough to be in a cast as an adult never mind a child! I hope everything works out for you AND your son!! Have a great trip!

 

[madenon]

LTSA; it also might be an idea to let him play with the poolwater with his legs, sitting on the edge of the pool. OK, it isn't way as good as swimming or the watterparks, but it's better than nothing. If he were to make a friend at the resort, at least he wouldn't have to stay behind if the friend wants to go to the pool. Also it would be nice for some cooling down. This is what my brother did a lot when he was in a plaster for his back.

 

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

Hi

That's what I'm thinking, a little light waterplay around the pool area, not so much all the way in. I'm still thinking about that dry cast because with him it's not unlikely he'd say "oops mom, it was an accident" when he gets more wet than I wanted - with the dry cast he ought to still be ok. And you're right it's better than nothing. He has a little sister that will want to go to the pool so it was either find a way DS can participate (I can't see him totally sitting out at the pool) or keep them both away from the pool. Well, the only other thing I could think of is let him play in the arcade while she's in the pool but that would probably quickly cost more than the dry cast! Not to mention I couldn't supervise both of them at the same time. DH won't be with us during the afternoons so that we could split up and each take a child (he's taking a class while in Orlando, yikes).

Thanks again for the advice and good wishes everyone!

 

[copasquat]

A few summers ago my son got a really nasty burn on his leg from the muffler on his quad - no swimming for 6 weeks! We found an inexpensive latex(?) cover. It reminded me of the 'dental dams' dentists use when filling cavities on young children. Anyway, it is a giant latex sock with a small super-stretchy opening at the top. It went on just like a sock and it sealed really well without being uncomfortable. My son spent the entire summer in pools, lakes and rivers. It occasionally got a little leak when he was doing something extreme (waterskiing), but it really kept the wound dry )and my son happy). Only problem is I can't remember the manufacturer or where I got it. My other son managed to split his foot open between his toes - it's in a really difficult spot and cannot be stiched - 3 weeks of wound 'glue' and no swimming. I'm still searching - will post again when I find it!

 

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

copasquat - thanks for the info, your poor son That's amazing the sock thing stayed on even waterskiing though - saved his summer.!

I'm going to call about the dry cast cover tomorrow. It'll be less than 2 weeks before we leave and they'll have to ship it to me. I hope it fits and works well