Tag Archives: Orthopedic cast covers

Different Types of Bone Fractures

Broken bones (also known as fractured bones) are common for both children and adults. A broken bone occurs when a force exerted against the bone is stronger than it can structurally withstand. Most fractures are usually due to a fall, athletic activity, or car accident. The wrist, ankle, and hip are the most common sites for bone fractures and treatments include setting the broken bone in a cast or surgically pinning the bones back together.

There are many different types of bone fractures, but they are generally placed into one of four different categories: Displaced, non-displaced, open, and closed.

Here are several different types of common bone fractures…

Torus fracture (or buckle fracture) – commonly seen in children due to softer bones, a torus fracture occurs when one side of the bone may buckle upon itself without disrupting the other side, also known as an incomplete fracture
Greenstick fracture – a small, slender crack in the bone, which is more common in children because of their flexible bones
Open or compound fracture – the broken bone breaks through the skin
Closed or simple fracture – the broken bone has not pierced through the skin
Displaced fracture – the bone snaps in two or more parts and are no longer aligned
Non-displaced fracture – the bone cracks partly or completely but maintains proper alignment
Hairline fracture (or stress fracture) – often occurs from repetitive stress to the same bone
Single fracture – a single break in one bone
Segmental fracture – a fracture in two parts of the same bone
Comminuted fracture – the bone is shattered into multiple small pieces

Although no one ever plans on suffering a broken bone, CastCoverz! is here to help you Feel Better, so you Heal Better! CastCoverz! provides fun and functional products that comfort orthopedic patients; from cast, brace, and walking boot covers to colored crutches, crutch covers, and waterproof cast protectors, we’ve got you covered!

How to Know if a Bone is Broken in Adults

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Did you know you are born with over 270 bones? But, many of these fuse together as you grow, leaving a total of 206 separate bones in an adult! Broken bones (also known as fractured bones) are common for both children and adults. In our previous post, “How to Know if a Bone is Broken in Children“, we learned that most fractures are usually due to a fall, athletic activity, or car accident. In addition, some people can be more prone to breaks because of genetic conditions or bone disease that weakens bones.

An X-ray image of a fractured radius showing the characteristic Colles’ fracture with displacement and angulation of the distal end of the radius.

Adults most commonly fracture leg and ankle bones, along with forearms. One-sixth of all fractures treated among adults are known as Colles’ fractures. A Colles’ fracture is a fracture of the distal radius in the forearm with dorsal (posterior) displacement of the wrist and hand (commonly referred to as a “dinner-fork” or “bayonet” fracture.) They are most common in the elderly and often seen in people with osteoporosis.

A doctor may suspect a fractured bone simply based on the appearance of the injured area. Following is a list of signs and symptoms you can use to help determine whether or not a bone is broken in an adult.

How to know if a bone is broken in adults:

Is the area swollen and bruised?
Is the limb hanging at a funny angle or look out of place?
Is the bone sticking out through the skin?
Did the injured person feel or hear anything crack?
Can they move the injured area?
Does it hurt when touched?
Most importantly, consult a doctor. X-rays of the injured area will usually confirm the diagnosis of a broken bone, although stress or hairline fractures can be difficult to detect on an x-ray. If the x-ray does not show a fracture, but after 7-10 days, there is still pain or something just doesn’t feel quite right, do not hesitate to ask for another. By that time, calcium “ribbons” will be visible. Calcium ribbons occur only when a bone has broken or suffered a Greenstick fracture (a mild bone fracture or bone bend.)

If you suspect a broken bone, do your very best to keep the injured area still, until you know for sure what type of orthopedic injury you are dealing with. Once you know you’re dealing with a fracture and have been casted, you’ll definitely want to visit CastCoverz! CastCoverz! provides fun and functional products that comfort orthopedic patients, from cast covers and walking boot covers, to colored crutches and CrutchWear crutch accessories, we’ve got you covered! OH, and don’t forget you’ll need to keep that cast DRY with DryPro waterproof cast protector, and for some much needed relief from that itchy, stinky cast, try CastCooler!

Feel Better, Heal Better, and be sure to check out our previous post, “How to Know if a Bone is Broken in Children.”

National Youth Sports Safety Month is in Full Swing!

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STOP Sports Injuries

STOP Sports Injuries helps keep kids in the game for life! With spring and summer sports getting underway, it’s time to learn how you can help prevent sports injuries in kids and in your community, too!

You can educate yourself about the risk of injuries, especially concussions, and any other injury that is particularly associated with your child’s chosen sport, from About.com, HERE!

A recent article in Orthopedicstoday presented results, from two studies at the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine Specialty Day, which indicate that exercise at a young age can improve bone growth and reduce fracture risk in old age. AOSSM has also published specific injury prevention tip sheets for 20 different sports and activities.

Should your child suffer an injury while showing their stuff out on the sports field, CastCoverz! is here to help them Feel Better, so they Heal Better! CastCoverz! provides functional and fashionable products designed to cover casts, orthotic walking boots, splints & braces, and we also offer designer colored crutches, CrutchWear accessories, and companion products to bring relief and comfort to orthopedic patients. No matter what the orthopedic event is, we’ve got you covered!

Cast Covers Team Attends AAOS Conference in Chicago

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CastCoverz! just returned from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) Conference held in Chicago, Illinois, at the world famous McCormick Place Event Center. The AAOS show is the largest orthopedic trade-show in the world, with over 13,000 attendees from every continent on the planet! Owner, Annette d. Giacomazzi, and Community Champion, Kristine Champion, had a fantastic week talking to doctors, nurses, and ortho techs about their 18-branded product line, providing functional and fashionable products that bring relief and comfort to orthopedic patients.

CastCooler, MediShield, and CastCoverz! Team

CastCoverz! represented the orthopedic soft-goods industry well, with a spacious booth shared with industry leaders, MediShield and CastCooler. MediShield fills an enormous demand for waterproof protection of casts, bandages, and prosthetics. Doctors, nurses, and especially ortho techs stated they were “unaware of any truly effective means of protecting casts, prosthetics, or bandaging against water.” “We are proud to distribute a product that works well for showering and bathing,” says CastCoverz! owner and founder, Annette d. Giacomazzi. “But, I am very excited about their product upgrades, including a stronger, latex-free material.”

CastCooler is a breakthrough in cast care, designed to concentrate cooling and drying effectiveness on moist areas under your cast. CastCooler will cool your cast, reduce odor and itch, freshen your cast, and speed dry your cast, should moisture get in. When exhibit attendees tried out the sample CastCooler on display, they were AMAZED at how this product really works! Also joining them in the booth was Tom Schwab, Founder and Owner of Goodbye Crutches, and his very popular knee scooter!

All in all, the AAOS Exhibit was quite a success! CastCoverz! looks forward to expanding upon their product line and remaining the leading global manufacturer, e-tailer, and innovator of essential orthopedic soft goods. OH…and they announced their new toll-free number, 1(800) CASTCOVER (1-800-227-8268) and an adorable new pediatric line of arm cast covers, too. BIG things happening at CastCoverz!