Tag Archives: cast

why-you-might-experience-pressure-inside-your -cast-or-splint

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!

how to CastCooler leg demonstration

How To: CastCooler® Leg Demonstration

In this Facebook Live: All Things Orthopedic, Annette de Lancey (Founder and Owner of CastCoverz!) gives a helpful tutorial on how to use CastCooler®.  

Steps:

  • Remove the CastCooler from packaging (And remove your CastCoverz! cast cover).
  • Remove paper backing from the CastCooler.
  • Insert the inverter valve and attach it to the hose of your vacuum cleaner.
  • Wrap the CastCooler around your cast to enjoy INSTANT RELIEF!

What does the CastCooler® do?

The CastCooler keeps your cast fresh and reduces itch by removing moisture from the lining under your cast. Simply wrap the CastCooler around your cast daily, and connect a standard household vacuum. After 10 minutes, moisture is removed. Without moisture, bacteria growth (the cause of odor and itch) is reduced. Your cast stays fresh!

How does CastCooler® work?

CastCooler creates a gentle vacuum on the outside of your cast, bringing fresh air between your skin and the cast. Airflow is directed through the lining of your breathable orthopedic cast removing moisture and cooling your skin. Without touching your skin, bacteria, itch and odor are significantly reduced. Your cast stays fresh.

Do I need a special vacuum?

The CastCooler works with a common household vacuum and hose attachment (not supplied).

Will the CastCooler® work with my cast?

The CastCooler works with all breathable orthopedic cast material (fiberglass, sorry not plaster..but less than 5% of casts are plaster…so you probably have a fiberglass cast) no matter size or limb, one size fits all! Use the CastCooler as often as you like, it cannot be overused. Whenever your cast is moist, hot or stinky…use it.

Cast Claustrophobia Syndrome: How to Keep Your Cool in a Cast!

Diagnosis: Cast Claustrophobia Syndrome

Are you in a cast?  Are you hot? Of course you are! Doesn’t matter the season, hot or cold, casts get hot.  Think about it- you have layers of cotton next to your skin, wrapped with tape and finished with a glue that hardens to form a protective shell.  Can you say claustrophobic?  

Regardless of age or activity level (even lying on a couch watching tv) humans perspire; it’s our natural body regulating and cooling device! 

Wearing a cast prevents this cooling process to occur.  The heat you feel radiating from your body is REAL, it’s just trapped inside your cast.

Fighting that sticky discomfort is another uncomfortable part of wearing a cast, regardless of the time of year. When your arm or leg is itchy & hot you might find yourself getting heated and possibly anxious about your cast.  At CastCoverz!, we call this Cast Claustrophobia Syndrome.

Luckily, we’ve got some cool suggestions for helping you “keep your chill” while wearing a cast. 

Keeping Your Cool

CastCooler: We’ve been a HUGE fan of CastCooler ever since the company made their debut. One determined dad invented this device to help alleviate discomfort while wearing a cast.  Their website states, “by creating a gentle vacuum on the outside of your cast or splint, airflow is directed through the lining of your cast/splint. This airflow immediately removes moisture and cools your skin. Without touching your skin, bacteria, itch, and odor are significantly reduced, and your cast stays fresh.” All you need is a vacuum with a hose.  Check out their website for more info on this game-changing product, as well as a handful of awesome testimonials!

Oh, and it’s nearly indestructible! So, tuck it up on the top shelf of your medicine cabinet for the next injury in your family (we hope not! 🙂 ) OR we know someone in your circle (friends, neighbors, family, classmates, co-workers) will be in a cast and you can gift it to them!  You’ll be loved forevermore for your thoughtful get-well gift. 

Staying Hydrated: There are plenty of reasons to stay hydrated throughout the day, but a primary reason is that it helps your body stay cool! Sipping ice-cold water (even if you’re not feeling thirsty) will help lower your body temperature, therefore, cooling off your casted limb. You’d be surprised how much better and energized you feel when you’re well-hydrated! 

An Icy Washcloth: Placing a damp washcloth in the freezer for a few hours and then placing it behind your neck or on your forehead is an instant fix for cooling down! While we don’t recommend placing an icy washcloth on your cast, you can try placing it around your elbow or behind your knee near the cast; this will at least help cool off the surrounding areas and wick away sweat in proximity to your cast.

Tip: Keep a good supply of ice packs and/or a bag of frozen peas handy.  They can be strategically laid on top of a cast to help cool it (wrap it in a dishcloth to prevent condensation from getting your cast moist).

It’s KEY to avoid getting moisture inside your cast! Moisture and/or getting your cast wet can affect the efficacy of the cast and you could get maceration…a smelly, itchy skin condition.  The last thing you want to deal with while healing it this uncomfortable irritant!

Take a Dip with AquaShieldUSA: Who doesn’t want to dip into a pool on a hot summer day?! Maybe you’re planning a trip to the beach and wanting to enjoy the waves? Whatever your hot summer day antidote is, we’ve got you covered! AquaShieldUSA is a watertight cast protector that seals around your limb, allowing you to keep your cast dry as you cool off! Don’t have a pool or a beach?  Fill your tub with cool, tepid water! As you can imagine, finding the correct size in this product is essential for proper sealing (no leakage); check out the sizing chart on our website to make sure you cast will be sealed properly for ultimate protection!

 

Overcoming Cast Claustrophobia Syndrome

At the end of the day, it’s still frustrating to deal with an itchy, smelly cast as temperatures rise! Just remember- this is only temporary! Just as the seasons change, so does the state of your healing injuries.  With proper care and rest, you’ll be out of your cast in no time! Stay positive and “keep your cool” while sporting your cast! Don’t let your elusive “cast claustrophobia syndrome” get the best of you.

What creative ways have you or a loved one cooled off while in a cast?  Help your fellow members of the Broken Bones Club, by sharing your family-friendly ways to cool off while wearing a cast, below: 

Basic Information About Casts (The Top 7 FAQ’s and 1 Smelly Fact)

 

Question and Answer - Canva

 

Before my daughter, Elli, broke her first bone, I really didn’t know anything about casts, let alone how to care for one. But after 12 broken bones, and serving hundreds of thousands of customers, I am a verified expert and I want to pass on what I learned to you. Following are cast newbies most frequent questions and my answers. In short, here’s some basic information about casts:  Continue reading