Tag Archives: Orthopedic cast covers

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-Celebrate-Super-Bowl-Sunday-With-A-Broken-Bone

How To Celebrate Super Bowl Sunday With A Broken Bone

One of the world’s favorite days of the year is here; Super Bowl Sunday.  All fans have one thing in common, and that’s looking forward to the Super Bowl for the entirety of their season in hopes of seeing their favorite team play in the ultimate championship game (not to mention all the amazing commercials and Halftime show). 

If you’re injured on Super Bowl Sunday, you can still participate, but make sure you don’t celebrate too hard and injure yourself further! CastCoverz! has a few tricks up our sleeves to make sure you optimize your Super Bowl Sunday experience, in a cast, orthotic walking boot, sling, or crutches. 

Team Pride

No matter what team you’re going for this Super Bowl, we have the right CastCoverz! for you. This Armz! In 24 Karat (perfect for a wrist or arm cast) is also available in Bootz! and Legz!.

 

 

Show off your team pride during the Super Bowl with this Legz! In Bengalicious to cover your leg cast. Also available in Armz! And Bootz!

 

 

Champagne Shower Deterrent 

If you’re worried about getting the winning team’s champagne shower on your dry cast, we have a solution for you! Our Mittz! Dry in Black is the perfect solution to protecting your fingers and keeping your hand cast, splint or brace dry from wet conditions.

 

 

We’d love to see how you celebrate in your CastCoverz! Comment more family friendly ideas for how to celebrate on Super Bowl Sunday with an injury. 

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.