summer questions and answers with castcoverz

Summer Q&A With CastCoverz!

CastCoverz! understands how awful it is to have an injury during the sunny summer months, and we know you have questions about how to stay comfortable and keep doing the activities you love.

Here are answers to some commonly asked questions from how to keep the sand out of your cast, to our waterproof options:

Do your cast covers keep beach sand out?

Our fabric covers, also known as our daily wear products, are stretchy Lycra®/spandex, which is a woven product. Our covers will keep most of the sand out. But, some grains of sand will sneak past the fabric fibers.

Do you sell waterproof covers for an orthopedic fracture boot (aka fracture boot or cam boot)?

No, we don’t.  Why? For 2 very important reasons.

#1 They aren’t manufactured.

#2 It would be a HUGE RISK and UNSAFE product. CastCoverz! manufactures and distributes only “Feel Better, Heal Better”  products. A cover for an orthopedic boot is unsafe because if any water seeped in the wearer would sink like a rock.

Are your covers waterproof, too?   

Our daily wear covers are not waterproof. They are made out of stretchy fabric that covers your cast, brace, or boot. The stretchy fabric, a blend of polyester or cotton and Lycra®/spandex, is a woven product; think bathing suit. So, water flows through the fabric but covers the orthopedic device with a fun fashion statement or a discreet choice. In addition, they don’t seal above your cast or brace which is necessary to waterproof a cast or brace.

IF you’re looking for waterproof options, try DRYPRO® or our latex-free option AquaShieldUSA (both available in arms and legs).

Can I swim in a cast?                                                              

For most orthopedic patients wearing a standard cast and are 7-10 days beyond the injury, the answer is an enthusiastic, “YES!” But, you’ll need to seal that cast in a waterproof product. CastCoverz! is proud to distribute DRYPRO®, the industry standard for a rugged, reliable waterproof product. We also carry a latex-free option, AquaShieldUSA.

We hope these tips help you with your injury during the summer months, and help you keep cool in the sun! We’re here to help you feel better, and heal better.

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Helpful Products to Keep Your Cast or Boot Protected From The Elements

In this Facebook Live: All Things Orthopedic, Annette de Lancey (Founder and Owner of CastCoverz!) discusses ways to protect your orthopedic device from the elements (cold weather, rain, wind, snow… ETC) with guest Dr. Scott Hoffinger, Medical Director of OrthoPediatrics, and Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon. 

While having a cast may not be ideal, it will NOT prevent kids from trying to participate in normal activities. It is also not surprising that kids will find a way to get a cast wet, get it dirty and get involved.  The best thing to do is plan ahead. If your child is going to be doing things that could get their cast wet or dirty, there is a need to protect the cast. 

CastCoverz! has many products to keep casts and boots from getting wet from adverse weather conditions, shield from biting wind, and help them to stay dry. For arms we have CastCoverz! Mittz! Cozy and Mittz! Dry, which are designed for convenience as well as function and comfort. This product is weather-resistant but not meant for immersion, and paired together can provide superior protection from wet weather (rain, snow) and biting wind conditions.  

Slickerz! which is a similar product for your leg is also weather-resistant and is used to protect your cast and your toes. Our BootGuardzXtreme! is for the orthopedic walking boot. It protects your orthopedic walking boot, boot liner, and toes from wind, rain and snow with our made-in-the-USA weather resistant material.

Keeping your orthopedic device clean and dry can stop infection, and help your injury heal better, so you feel better!

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Why You Might Experience Pressure Inside Your Cast Or Splint and Other Interesting Cast Facts

In this Facebook Live: All Things Orthopedic, Dr. Hoffinger, Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon, is sharing more about why some patients experience pressure inside their cast or splint, as well as answering other frequent questions. 

As with any injury or surgery, we encourage you to share your concerns with your doctor. If you’re noticing increasing pressure or pain, be cautious & let your orthopedic team know what you’re experiencing.

Why a splint before a cast?

Certain fractures can swell a lot which doctors try to accomodate; it is one of the reasons that people are told in the emergency room not to make an orthopedic appointment right away. If you do, you will have to get splinted and then come back to have it changed to a cast. This is not true for all fractures, but when you are splinted for the most part, doctors are expecting it to swell. Splints are often put on first because a cast can cause a lot of pressure. 

Why is my cast shaped so funny?

When doctors cast a fracture, there is an old saying that “a crooked cast makes a straight bone”. If you have a fracture that wants to angle one way, a doctor will make the cast have a little bit of a bend in the opposite direction. 

Why do some people feel pressure when wearing a cast or splint?

If you are feeling pressure, that is the time to elevate the cast or injury. A little bit of reduction in swelling can make a big difference in how you feel. If you keep the injury down it may hurt more because the blood is rushing to it which causes swelling. Some pressure inside of the cast is normal, just be cautious that it does not keep getting worse or is intolerable. 

We hope this video was helpful & encouraging. Please leave your family-friendly comments below!

Spring Break Activities and Tips

Who’s looking forward to SPRING BREAK?  Whether you’re home-bound recovering from surgery or a broken bone or planning a fun family vacation, CastCoverz! has some tips and tricks to make the best out of it.

The article Spring Activities For Family Fun, by Catherine Holecko, Parents.com, suggests 35 Spring Break Activities and Ideas for Kids at Home

If you have a teen or tween this Easter, Parents.com gives creative and alternative ways of filling their  Easter basket.  You can read their creative tips HERE!

Your spring break vacation has been planned beach or poolside and now you happen to be wearing a cast…OH NO!  Check out CastCoverz! for products that will keep your cast clean, dry, and sand free.  AquaShield provides waterproof protection for bathing.  DRYPRO is your answer to swimming, by offering the only waterproof cast protection in the world with the patented vacuum seal to keep your cast completely dry. 

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If you do happen to get your cast wet or need some odor and itch relief, CastCooler® will speed dry your cast and provide much needed relief from common cast discomforts.  
 

 

Regardless of your Easter plans, all of us at CastCoverz! are wishing you a blessed and safe Easter!