Waterproof casting material?

[nosonew, BSN, RN]

Hi all, I am a dialysis nurse, don't know a thing about ortho... HOWEVER, I have severe tendonitis in right arm, wrist and something is wrong with r shoulder/neck. I see specialist next week. My family doc thinks he will put me in a long arm cast for 6-12 weeks.

We have a pool and two little ones. Someone recently told me they have a new material that is waterproof, and the fiberglass cast goes on top.

Do you know anything about it? Thoughts?

[suzanne4, RN]

Fiberglass casts have been used for years without the regular padding underneath to be waterproof. You used to see quite a bit of it in California and other beach areas for people that were always in the water and were not going to give that up for six weeks or so.

[SusanJean]

My son, at 8, had a broken arm , about 3 yrs ago. We requested a waterproof cast since it was summer - in fact, had to get it replaced on vacation since it got wet - and 2 different ortho offices did not want to put waterproof cast on.

I don't recall the reason why...there was a reason, tho... I just don't remember. So, they are out there, but I guess what I am saying is that it may not always be the best option.

On a side note, the original cast my son had on, he wore to Green Bay Packer "camp" and it was signed by all the Packers - and he was so upset that it had to be cut off. Fortunately, the ortho that cut it off was one of the docs in Green Bay that worked w/ the Packers - doc spent almost 30 minutes cutting off the cast so none of the signatures would be ruined. What a champ! The guy gave up his lunch hour to fit us in and take care of us -

One doctor I like! :chuckle

SJ