My son fractured his ankle in a bounce house (cast question)

[summerrluvv]

I always hear how dangerous they are, and we have been so many times but never had an issue! It happened last Saturday. He must have landed on it wrong because when he came out, he had trouble walking on it and was in tears his dad said. He had been wearing a splint that the ER put on him since that day, and today we saw the orthopedist and he put a cast on it. He did say the cast was waterproof. I don't understand how that works though. Wouldn't the cotton liner get wet still and take forever to dry? Has anyone had a waterproof cast? (Edited...nevermind really...we are treating it as non-waterproof at this point )

Fortunately the doctor said it shouldn't take too long to heal. We have to go back in 10 days for another x-ray. Sad part is that he is missing sleepaway camp that was scheduled for next week

 

[NHdisneylover]

I am sorry about your son

Waterproof casts are great! My kdis ahev had them on wrists and arms. It is important to rinse them with clear water after swimming, showering (soap residue), etc (jsut run clear water down it for a minute or so. Running cool water down it when it gets itchy can really help too.

Did either the doctor or the camp say your son cannot go? Did you ask? DS has been at camp with an arm in a cast and nearly every summer at least one kid has a cast on something (ankles included).

 

[summerrluvv]

Didn't the cotton become soggy under the cast though?

The camp said he could come (it's a camp for kids w/ illness and special needs), but I don't feel comfortable sending him 5 hours away with an injury. He can't walk on it at all and is pretty much confined to a wheel chair when we go out, since he cannot master the crutches.

 

[NHdisneylover]

If I remember correctly--what looked like "cotton" going on was hardened inside the cast and not really a soft material anyway. I may be wrong though. I know neither kid (3 casts between two kids) ever complained about it feeling wet afterwards (and that would have bugged DD to no end had to been the case).

Hopefully he figures out the crutches soon. DD injured her foot in teh fall and it took about a day to really figure out how to use the crutches. They gave her the kind with wrist support, not the kind that go under your arms--they were so much easier to use. Can you get those for your son? Example below:

 

[Pooh Crew]

My son broke his arm in June and got a waterproof cast. It was wonderful. He swam in it almost every day and never had a problem. I don't really remember the process because it was two years ago, but ds never complained about it feeling wet or weird. Hope your son feels better soon!

 

[summerrluvv]

That probably wouldn't work either since he has gross motor and processing issues, and just cannot do the standing on one foot and trying to move forward, all while holding on lol. Thank you though!

There is definintely a cotton wrap under his, and it's the white part that sort of wraps over the top of the cast. I'm scared to get it drenched...maybe I'll just wrap it in the plastic bag!

 

[NHdisneylover]

That probably wouldn't work either since he has gross motor and processing issues, and just cannot do the standing on one foot and trying to move forward, all while holding on lol. Thank you though!

There is definintely a cotton wrap under his, and it's the white part that sort of wraps over the top of the cast.

Why don't you just call the doctor and ask them about the moisture? They'll know exactly what they out on.

 

[summerrluvv]

So my friend who used to wrap the casts in an orthopedist's office just told me that it's def. not waterproof if it was wrapped in cotton. It will get all soggy and smell. She said they wrap them in a plastic material under the waterproof ones.

They are closed until Monday, otherwise I would call

 

[Cinderella94]

If the doctor said it's waterproof, I'm sure it is and wouldn't worry about it. I'm sorry about your son! .

ETA: We must have posted at the same time. If, after talking to your friend, you think he made a mistake in saying it was waterproof, keep it dry until you can call on Monday.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

So sorry to hear about N. Just wondering if you went to OALI? That is where we usually go and they have info there about cast covers you can buy.

I dont know if they would have those at Fairview Pharm. They have alot of stuff there. Might be worth a call.

Do you think he could handle a walker instead of the crutches? It could be another option.

Wishing him a speedy recovery.

 

[summerrluvv]

So sorry to hear about N. Just wondering if you went to OALI? That is where we usually go and they have info there about cast covers you can buy.

I dont know if they would have those at Fairview Pharm. They have alot of stuff there. Might be worth a call.

Do you think he could handle a walker instead of the crutches? It could be another option.

Wishing him a speedy recovery.

Thanks! I don't know what OALI? I don't think he can do the walker because he would still be hopping since he can't bear weight at all on it.

He's diggin' the wheelchair though. We hit the Target clearance yesterday, him in wheelchair playing with his game system, me pushing the wheelchair and pulling the cart overflowing with toys, all while trying to keep tabs on Emma...comical

I have a pretty good shower system now. Put a resin chair in the tub (has grips on the bottom and holes in the bottom to drain water), put bag over cast, rubberband the top, put him in the chair, leave the left leg out on the side of the tub, and shower him down with the handheld It sounds silly, but it works!

 

[*JoGo*]

I had a waterproof cast last year. I broke my ankle, it went up my calf. The white stuff under hardens. It's material when it's applied, then they wet it and it hardens. Stick your fingers down into the cast (either under his foot or at the top, where ever you can fit in the most) and it'll be hard.

I went to Florida/beach in my cast. I had to be careful at the beach to not get sand in it, so I used a cast bag from Walgreens or Rite Aid in the gulf. On the beach, I was just careful not to drag it thru the sand. But in the pool, it was fine.

Just be sure to tip it up when he gets out of the water, so the water runs out. And also, when he stands up, tip it forward. I always thought of the scene in Robin Hood when the sheriff took the little bunny's bday money out of his cast when I did this, lol.

Also, it WILL be wet for awhile, so make sure he rests it on a folded towel or you will have a puddle on the floor/coffee table.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Thanks! I don't know what OALI? I don't think he can do the walker because he would still be hopping since he can't bear weight at all on it.

Sorry, its Orthopedic Associates of Long Island off of Bellemeade. We have also been to the group next to Mather. Didnt like them all that much. I dont think they take our ins. anymore anyway. With the 3 ds we made the rounds with all the broken hands, feet etc.

I know they also have those knee type scooters. Do you think he could handle that? They have pics online.

I think you have a really good shower system. Now I guess the hardest part would be finding things to keep him occupied!

Wishing you both all the best.

 

[summerrluvv]

I had a waterproof cast last year. I broke my ankle, it went up my calf. The white stuff under hardens. It's material when it's applied, then they wet it and it hardens. Stick your fingers down into the cast (either under his foot or at the top, where ever you can fit in the most) and it'll be hard.

I went to Florida/beach in my cast. I had to be careful at the beach to not get sand in it, so I used a cast bag from Walgreens or Rite Aid in the gulf. On the beach, I was just careful not to drag it thru the sand. But in the pool, it was fine.

Just be sure to tip it up when he gets out of the water, so the water runs out. And also, when he stands up, tip it forward. I always thought of the scene in Robin Hood when the sheriff took the little bunny's bday money out of his cast when I did this, lol.

Also, it WILL be wet for awhile, so make sure he rests it on a folded towel or you will have a puddle on the floor/coffee table.

It's not hard under it, that is why I was questioning it. The cotton material is there, I can feel it, and it's soft at the toes and the knee where it comes out over the cast. I think the doctor gave me wrong info. But it's okay, we are just treating it as if it's not waterproof I doubt he would be able to swim with that big thing on anyway

 

[summerrluvv]

Sorry, its Orthopedic Associates of Long Island off of Bellemeade. We have also been to the group next to Mather. Didnt like them all that much. I dont think they take our ins. anymore anyway. With the 3 ds we made the rounds with all the broken hands, feet etc.

I know they also have those knee type scooters. Do you think he could handle that? They have pics online.

I think you have a really good shower system. Now I guess the hardest part would be finding things to keep him occupied!

Wishing you both all the best.

Ahhh! We went to a place in Smithtown....it was a real challenge finding someone who didn't drop this insurance last year (Americhoice United Healthcare). Even Stony Brook affiliated doctors don't take it, nor does the hospital unless it's an ER visit like it was for us. Insane!

He is at the movies seeing the Smurfs right now, but yes it's hard to keep him busy with things over than TV and video games!

 

[Breezy_Carol]

Someone mentioned a knee walker and that might work for him. You bear weight through the upper leg. It is like a scooter for your knee.

I can't get a picture to post but here is a link to one example.

 

[laughinplace199]

OP, I think you're doing the right thing in treating the cast as non-waterproof until you can talk to the doctor. Perhaps the doctor made a mistake.

When DD fractured her arm, I requested a waterproof cast. I paid for the cast (our ins doesn't cover waterproof casts) and then gave my receipt to the people in the casting room. As the man was wrapping DD's arm, I noticed that the material was different from the last time we were there (when DD broke the other arm the year before ). I asked him about it and, sure enough, he had forgotten that we wanted a waterproof cast. He was wrapping her arm with the material they use for regular casts. I was happy that I noticed it in time and he was able to wrap her arm in the correct material and put her in a waterproof cast.

I hope your DS heals quickly!

 

[lsyorke]

I work in wound care where we "wrap" legs a lot, that have to be kept dry. This is the one cover that we found consistently keeps the area dry.(the one with the "gasket" type opening.

http://www.medcareproducts.com/castcovers/

I bought another brand when DS broke his foot. Went through the wrapping all the layers, rubber straps and off he went into the shower. Came out with the "bag" FULL of water, LOL! Cast changed later than day.

 

[laughinplace199]

OP, here is a link to a picture of the padding used in waterproof casts. Is this what is in your DS's cast? This is what they used with DD's waterproof casts:

http://orthotape.com/previewimage.asp?pid=253&prodtype=product