Category Archives: Orthopedic Q&A

What-to-Wear-When-Your-Arm-is-in-a-Cast-or-a-Sling

What to Wear When Your Arm is in a Cast or a Sling

What to Wear When Your Arm is in a Cast or a SlingIt is HARD to find something that is stylish and will work for you when you have your arm casted, braced, or in a sling. Limitations are everywhere when it comes to your wardrobe unless you have a personal assistant helping you dress, bathe, etc. Button-down jeans, attempting to put on a belt or even something that used to be so simple like tying your shoes is now giving you fits. But you still want to look good while you heal and let your personality shine when you are out and about right?  You could look to your caregiver for help or do it on your own. Here are some great fashion tips from our friend, Alison Gary, a fashion journalist and owner of the popular blog, Wardrobe Oxygen, that helped her get through her time of healing while staying stylish, comfortable and looking great!


Tops

To top things off, Alison wore shawls and pashminas, flowing garments that wouldn’t be too close to the skin or the cast, and give a feeling of freedom. She also recommends jackets in softer materials that can be taken off easily, just in case you start to feel uncomfortable.


Slouchy sweaters and tunics that are easy to get over the head, and tops with elbow-length sleeves that won’t stick to the cast are excellent options. For your first layer to give you hidden comfort underneath the stylish items, a ribbed tank will help to keep the top layers in place, and v-neck tees are a comfortable choice.

Wearing these free-flowing and soft tops can help with an overall feeling of attractiveness, which is so important while you’re wearing a cast and worrying about whether your movements look stiff or pained.

Bottoms

fashion-605508_1280What about bottoms? Getting bottoms in a larger size than you need could help make it easier for you to get dressed with one arm. Leggings can also give you a good solid bottom option to wear with your oversized tops and you won’t miss a step when it comes to style.

Dresses

Stretchy dresses may be the way to go, and you can wriggle your way into them without worrying about whether they can get over the cast. A stylish caftan that is big enough to slip on easily can also be an option to pair up with leggings or boots.

But the struggle continues. Now you have a few options for clothing choices that give you room to move your arms around and make it easier to get into tops, bottoms and dresses. What else can you do to try to get around the “snags” in looking good while your arm is in a cast? What do we do when the material of those clothing items we have rub against the cast or ride up while we’re wearing them?

Cast covers can help, and you can quickly identify which clothing materials work well with the comfortable and washable material used in CastCoverz! Armz!. Armz! will help to protect your clothes from snags and you can pick a couple of colors to wear with outfits chosen to make feel free and attractive while you keep yourself comfortable and stylish!

Accessories

Accessories present a new and exciting challenge during the cast-wearing days, don’t they? You can’t get into those boots you loved to wear, and your favorite handbag is hard to swing down from your arm so you can rummage through it. What-to-Wear-When-Your-Arm-is-in-a-Cast-or-a-Sling-2
Flat shoes that you can slip into, and stretchy boots that you can pull on will make a big difference when you’re getting dressed and undressed. A cross-body purse is a practical alternative to the shoulder purse, and scarves are easier to put on than necklaces during this time. A wool cape or a down vest can be roomy options for the cold winter days or spring weather. The ultimate accessory is a cast cover that you can wear with any number of outfits and you can get them here at CastCoverz!

Looking your best while your arm is in a cast can help you to feel better and heal better, and you may want to consider some of the other things that can contribute to your recovery. If you’re thinking of things to do to keep you occupied while your social activities are limited, check out Fun Things to Do While Wearing a Cast. Or you can take a look at Cast Fashion and Lori’s List of Most Loved Products for more reading fun.

We’d love to hear what worked for you!  Please add your family-friendly comments, below!

Why-an-Orthopedic-Walking-Boot-VS-a-Cast-For-Your-Healing-Journey

Why an Orthopedic Walking Boot VS a Cast For Your Healing Journey

In this Facebook Live: All Things Orthopedic, Annette de Lancey (Founder and Owner of CastCoverz!) speaks with Dr. Scott Hoffinger, Medical Director of OrthoPediatrics, and Board Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon, about why orthopedic walking boots are prescribed! 

Not all broken bones, sprains or soft tissue injuries require a cast; sometimes an orthopedic walking boot is the best and most comfortable option for a patient as they heal. 

Why are so many orthopedic walking boots prescribed now?

When you have a broken bone in your foot, you need a firm base to step on, but casts are not always necessary (24/7 support), this is where an orthopedic walking boot can be helpful. Boots are also good for sprains and soft tissue injuries. 

Orthopedic walking boots can be beneficial but wear them with caution, if you are supposed to wear them all the time when you are standing up, comply with that. They can be just as effective as casts, but they can be taken off for sleeping and showers. 

Check out some of our orthopedic walking boot accessories like Bootz! and Sleeping Bagz! to provide fashion and comfort during your healing journey. 

Leave your family-friendly comments below, and be sure to join us for our next All Things Ortho event!

Rashes and Infections That Can Develop Under Casts

In this Facebook Live: All Things Orthopedic, Annette de Lancey (Founder and Owner of CastCoverz!) speaks with Dr. Scott Hoffinger, Medical Director of OrthoPediatrics, and Board Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon, about rashes and infections that can develop under casts.

No need to worry about infection right off the bat if you or someone you know is in a cast. Casts do not cause infection; however, the environment inside a cast often allows bacteria to grow or spread more easily. We encourage you to pay attention to signs of irritation or pain inside your cast in order to prevent infection and/or a spreading rash. 

What kinds of infections and rashes can you get inside a cast?

It is very important a cast is not too tight, as this can lead to pain inside of the cast caused by pressure. Some things that you can get from a cast are simple infections (pimples) and ingrown hairs. You can also get Impetigo (a skin infection) that will be both under the cast and elsewhere (normally above the cast). 

Maceration is a condition that is caused by excessive exposure to moisture.  Washing dishes, hot tubs, etc… are often the culprits.  If you get your cast wet, priority #1 is getting the cast dry. To dry out your cast we recommend The CastCooler a product invented by a dad that wraps around your cast and attaches to your vacuum cleaner.  A patented inverter valve blows cool air in your cast (fiberglass only) which dries out the moisture absorbing layers of your cast that are trapped next to your skin.  Though rare, maceration can also be caused by unsanitary conditions while the cast was being applied.  

The most concerning thing that was found by chance was chickenpox. If someone has chickenpox, doctors will remove the cast at the very least to look at the extremity. 

Symptoms to be on the lookout for rash or infection: itching and burning of the skin under the cast (this is beyond the typical by-product of itchiness while wearing a cast). Visual signs of redness on the skin at the cast’s openings. Intense odor (again, beyond the by-product of wearing a cast).  FYI… the CastCooler prevents the itch and stench of wearing a cast. 

As always, it’s important to keep your cast clean and dry, and let your physician know if you suspect an infection or rash inside your cast.

Stay tuned for our next All Things Ortho! Leave your family-friendly comments below. 

Gifts-For-Someone-Wearing-A-Cast-Over-The-Holidays

Gifts for Someone Wearing a Cast Over The Holidays

Having a family member or friend in a cast, boot, or brace during the holidays is never fun. Their injury is painful, inconvenient, and ugly! Here are a few gift ideas to brighten up their holiday season, and bring some relief to their injury. 

Heated Eye mask

Gifts-For-Someone-Wearing-A-Cast-Over-The-Holidays

 

 

 

 

Getting a good night’s rest is very important for an injury! This eye mask will calm and upgrade their quality of sleep. 

Warming Backrest Massager

Gifts-For-Someone-Wearing-A-Cast-Over-The-Holidays

 

 

 

 

Nothing more uncomfortable than sitting in bed all day! This warming backrest will massage their back and help their posture during bedrest.

Netflix gift card

Gifts-For-Someone-Wearing-A-Cast-Over-The-Holidays

 

 

 

 

One thing we all know during bed rest is Netflix! Help them binge their favorite shows and movies with this gift card.

Bubble bath 

Gifts-For-Someone-Wearing-A-Cast-Over-The-Holidays

 

 

 

 

Although you generally can’t get your casted injury wet, help them relax with a soothing bubble bath for the rest of their aching extremities!

Book club membership 

Gifts-For-Someone-Wearing-A-Cast-Over-The-Holidays

 

 

 

 

No better time to start a book than when you’re stuck on bed rest! This book club membership will send them books based on suggestions they prefer. 

Barefoot Dreams blanket 

Gifts-For-Someone-Wearing-A-Cast-Over-The-Holidays

 

 

 

 

Keep your friends and family cozy this winter in this blanket celebrities swear by.

Calm Membership

Gifts-For-Someone-Wearing-A-Cast-Over-The-Holidays

 

 

 

 

Sleeping with an injury can be a struggle. Gift this for meditation or a better quality of sleep. 

UberEats gift card 

Gifts-For-Someone-Wearing-A-Cast-Over-The-Holidays

 

 

 

 

Having to cook while injured can be a hassle. Sending an UberEats gift card to use when overwhelmed and hungry is a thoughtful gift.

As always, CastCoverz! is here to accomodate you or those you love during this stressful time and injury. We hope these gift ideas can inspire some gifts for someone you love who is injured during the holidays. Have a safe and memory filled holiday season!