Category Archives: WATERproof cast covers

Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas for Your Injured Loved One

If your loved one is suffering from an injury and you want to make them feel better on Valentine’s Day, give a gift that shows you truly care, take a look at these gift ideas and choose one or more.

Idea #1:  Chocolate Covered Strawberries

strawberryEveryone knows you’re supposed to give your love chocolate on Valentine’s Day, but since your true love is going through the recovery process, he or she really needs to eat a healthful diet. You can give them a treat and some nutrients at the same time with chocolate-covered strawberries. Shari’s Berries is a fantastic source for delicious goodies, delivered quick and easily.

 

Idea #2:  CastCoverz!

If your loved one enjoys looking fashionable or is just tired of the sight of their cast and wants to keep it clean and scratch-free, consider one or more CastCoverz! products to help put a smile back on their face during recovery, from orthopedic cast covers, crutches, and crutch covers, to walking boot covers and waterproof cast protectors. At CastCoverz!, we’ve got your injured loved one covered!

Idea #3:  Love Letter

It doesn’t matter whether your love is injured or not, telling them exactly how you feel and what you love about them will be something that will never get old.

Idea #4:  Flowers

Valentine's Day Gift Ideas for Your Injured Loved One

These aren’t your ordinary die-in-a-week flowers. These flowers can last up to a year and are a beautiful statement piece for any table. They come in Valentine’s Day heart shaped boxes, as well. Venus et Fleur flowers will be sure to make your loved one swoon this Valentine’s Day.

 

Idea #5:  An Alternative to Crutches

If you’ve noticed your loved one is struggling with crutches, the nicest thing you can do for them is offer another solution. Here are some items to consider from KneeRover®, a Seated Scooter and Steerable Knee Scooter. Take a look at all of the options and see which would fit their lifestyle and needs the best.

Idea#6:  Comfort Items

The recovery process is going to feel long no matter how long it actually is. Look into some comfort items that can make it as easy as possible for your loved one. Things like a shower stool or waterproof cast protector to make bathing easier. The CastCooler® is also very helpful in raising your loved one’s level of comfort.

Idea#7:  Kind Gestures

Valentine’s Day is really all about showing your love. When your loved one is injured, all you really need to do is care for them to make them feel special and loved. Cook some fresh meals to put in the freezer so they’ll be ready whenever needed. Offer to do the shopping and arrange the kid’s carpool. Any worries you can take off their plate and add to yours is a bonus!

Idea #8:  Candles

Reminding your loved one how much you love them by giving them a scent you’ve picked out will bring them back to you every time they smell it. These Homesick Candles last for hours, and will be sure to put a smile on their face for Valentine’s Day.

 

 

When your loved one is injured, you might have to get more creative about gift giving on Valentine’s Day. But with these ideas, you can’t go wrong!

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. 

why is it important to keep your cast dry

Why Is It Important to Keep Your Cast Dry?

In this Facebook Live: All Things Orthopedic Annette de Lancey (Founder and Owner of CastCoverz!) discusses how and why it is so important to keep your cast dry, with special guests Paul Hunt (President, Co-Founder of HMP Enterprises, Inc.) and Bruce Maloy (CEO, Co-Founder of HMP Enterprises) representing DryPro®, a division of HMP Enterprises. 

Getting a cast soaking wet creates many problems.  A wet cast compromises the rigidness and integrity of your cast; which is your healing orthopedic device. If saturated, you will need an orthopedic doctor visit to remove and replace it and check for skin infection. In addition, water-damaged casts are typically not covered by insurance. All doctors recommend to not get the cast wet.  Some are skeptical about the efficacy of any waterproof cover, even DryPro, the gold standard in waterproof cast covers. So be sure to check with your doctor.  

When shopping for a waterproof cast cover, we strongly recommend DryPro’s vacuum-seal technology, to ensure that no water is able to enter the cast cover while swimming, bathing or enjoying water activities.

disneyland

How to Do Disneyland With a Broken Arm

Kids and adults alike look forward to visiting Disneyland, whether it’s to make memories with family or friends, ride the attractions, sample the food, or go shopping. But once in a while, accidents happen and we wind up with a broken arm before a major trip like this.

You might first think you have to cancel the entire trip. Fortunately, that isn’t the case. Disneyland goes out of its way to accommodate all types of visitors and situations. The park’s many helpful services, along with common sense and functional products to keep your orthopedic devices (casts, braces, splints and wraps) clean and/or dry can ensure you, your family, and friends enjoy every minute of your trip, even when one of you has a cast. 

Armz! (pictured in Going Dotty!) keeps casts clean, prevents snagging and scratching and Slingz! (pictured in Minnie Dots) durable double-faced designer fabric with extended length to prevent wrist drop, a thumb loop to prevent sling creep, and optional comfort straps and pocket (for keys, most cell phones, …) Also available in Legz! and Bootz!

First and foremost, talk to your doctor. While most rides at Disneyland are mild compared to other theme parks, it is always better to have a healthcare professional’s opinion. Once you get the go-ahead, here are some tips to keep in mind:

Check-in with Guest Relations when you get to the park. Disneyland’s Guest Relations can answer many of your questions about which rides you or your loved one can go on, whether you need a wheelchair, and if your injured party member is eligible for a Disability Access Service (DAS) pass. You can also call Guest Services ahead of your trip and explain your situation at (407) 560-2547 or email disability.services@disneyparks.com

Make note of first-aid locations in the park. First-aid stations are noted on printed park maps and also on the Disneyland app. Take special note of these ahead of time in case you need to stop at one during your day in the park. First-aid centers can assist you with any complications that arise from your injury. They can also store any medication you are taking that requires refrigeration. 

Take care when entering and exiting rides. Even with a broken arm, you or your family member should be able to go on most rides at Disneyland. Take care when entering and exiting these rides, and make sure to keep the broken arm inside the ride at all times, so it doesn’t get bumped or jostled. Note that some rides, like Space Mountain or Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, are faster and more intense, and may not be suitable for someone with a broken arm. Check with Guest Services or a Cast Member before riding. 

Consider renting a wheelchair. Since the body is working to heal itself after a broken bone, you or your loved one will most likely be extra susceptible to fatigue. While that makes standing in a long line for Peter Pan’s Flight, less than ideal, it doesn’t mean you have to cancel your trip. Because of COVID-19, Disneyland’s FASTPASS, which cuts down wait times for rides, is still suspended. Consider renting a wheelchair from the park instead.

Beat the heat. Casts are itchy, smelly, and hot, especially when you’re at an outdoor park for extended periods of time. Fortunately, there are accessories you can buy that provide some relief by drying and cooling the moist areas underneath the cast. One product we are HUGE fans of is the CastCooler™. The CastCooler provides amazing itch and odor relief for casts by drying out the bacteria-creating moisture that is a natural by-product from wearing a cast. You’ll need a vacuum cleaner with a hose. So, back to the hotel room, you’ll go. If you didn’t bring your vacuum cleaner with you 🙂 just ask housekeeping, they are very accommodating.

Explore waterproofing options for your cast. You don’t necessarily have to skip Splash Mountain because your arm is in a cast. While Disneyland, itself doesn’t provide waterproofing options for casts, there are many companies, including CastCoverz!, that make waterproof covers for casts, splints and bandages. Our go-to waterproof product is the DRYPRO* Cast Protector which is completely watertight keeping your casts and bandages dry. The DRYPRO offers the only arm cast protection in the world with the patented vacuum seal to keep you dry. AquaShieldUSA is our latex-free option.

Remember, the whole point of a trip to Disneyland is to have fun and forget the day-to-day grind. You shouldn’t have to be uncomfortable or inconvenienced while you and your family try to do that. CastCoverz! offers a huge range of FUNctional, fashionable solutions, including waterproof covers, cooling accessories, and slings. Explore our range of products to make your trip to Disneyland comfortable, fashionable, and fun.