The Under Cover Cast Blog

Now that 2014 is well under way, the time has come to review your professional marketing practices. If you own or manage your own medical clinic, it is crucial to stay up to date with current best practices in the world of business. It is no secret that social media has emerged as a critical piece of the marketing strategy pie. Doctors and social media are no longer an odd pair. For those who have not yet made the leap into social media, and even for those who have but have not yet maximized its great commercial potential, this may seem overwhelming. However, with a little investment of time and effort, these platforms can truly catapult your business forward in the year 2014. Over the coming weeks, we will be reviewing some of the most important guidelines for physicians looking to grow their practice with social media. Today we will begin with some of the basics and also address a common mistake many businesses make in their social media activity.

Set up your Company Page

Of course, setting up a company page in the following four social media platforms is an absolute must:

• Facebook
• Twitter
• LinkedIn
• GooglePlus

Each of these sites allows you to construct a page devoted to your business and your brand name. By doing so, you expose yourself to millions of social media users throughout the world. Even if you wish to focus on a narrower local market, people are turning more and more to these platforms to get the information they need as they decide which business to patronize. If you are a physician, you know there are many choices out there for your potential patients. Maintaining a company page on each of these sites is the 2014 version of setting up your office; without it, you will have a hard time finding or retaining any patients.

 What Should I Post?

After you have set up your online identity, you need to build brand awareness by engaging with online users across these platforms. A very typical mistake that business owners commit once they have their company pages is that they assume that they should use this new platform to self-promote. This is understandable, but a poor strategy. Unlike television or radio, where the audience tends to stick around for the most part even during the commercials, the social media user is in complete control. He will not hesitate before clicking on the next image that attracts his attention. Therefore, singing your own praises and directly persuading people to be your patients should be done very sparingly. Most people simply aren’t interested. The majority of your posts should have one goal in mind: to provide interesting content to your users. Here are some suggested ideas for posts:

• Links to articles about your field
• Funny images that relate to your area of specialty
• Informal behind-the-scenes information about your office
• Health tips
• Colorful greetings around the holidays

These are just a few ideas of what you might post. Be sure to keep it relevant, interesting, and always try to include an appealing image. Just ask yourself: if this post came across your newsfeed, would you have any interest in reading it?

Engage with Your Customers

One of the most powerful aspects of social media is the channel of communication it opens up for businesses and customers. Take advantage! Invite your clients and potential clients to ask questions, make suggestions, and share their thoughts with you. You’d be surprised just how valuable people find that kind of a forum. Don’t worry; you can moderate what is said at all times. Granting people the chance to voice their opinions empowers them, and ultimately makes them feel comfortable in your space.

Remember, social media is a powerful tool to reach new customers and retain former ones. You really can’t afford to ignore these channels anymore! Stay tuned for Part II of this series, when we will explore how to grow your followers in each of the major social media.

Lastly, don't forget to check out the opportunities that DryCast offers to help your practice grow. Become a distributor of our wide range of orthopedic and wrist care products. Help your patients, and earn revenue for your clinic. Learn more here!

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Arthritis is a condition which affects millions of Americans. The Center for Disease Control has released some remarkable statistics about arthritis. 60 million Americans report that they have been diagnosed with arthritis by a doctor. The term arthritis actually encompasses over 100 different types. Osteoarthritis is the most common form, and consists of the breaking down of the cartilage near joints, as well as bones growing over joints. Another very common form of arthritis is Rheumatoid Arthritis, which is in fact an autoimmune disease which affects many joints at once.

Arthritis is a painful condition for those who suffer from it. The symptoms include aching, pain, and stiffness around the joints. Arthritis can be so debilitating that for one out of every three people who has arthritis, there are implications for the type and degree of work that they can do.

Who is most likely to have arthritis?

Arthritis is more common among women than men. 25.9% of women report having arthritis, vs. only 18.3% of men. There is also an age factor. 50% of people over the age of 65 have arthritis. That being said, 2/3 of all people with arthritis are actually below that age, so it certainly can affect young people too.

What are some factors that lead to arthritis?

Exercise and general physical activity has been shown to be a critical piece of fending off arthritis. 23.5% of adults who are physically inactive have arthritis, as opposed to 18.7% of people who are considered physically active.

Another critical piece of the puzzle is body weight. 31.1% of people who are considered obese suffer from arthritis. On the other hand, of people who are classified as being of “normal” weight, 16.9% report having arthritis. Thus, exercising can double your chances of not having arthritis.

Home Treatment and Relief

It is clear, then, that an important part of preventing arthritis is keeping a healthy weight, and engaging in physical activity and exercise. Not only are these important goals for preventing arthritis, but even people who currently suffer from arthritis can be greatly helped by engaging in physical activity and by watching their weight. Maintaining an active lifestyle can go a long way in relieving arthritic pain.

Another way to provide relief from arthritis, and to help you stay active, is to wear arthritis gloves. Gloves for arthritis help sooth aching hands and wrists by providing mild compression to the soreness and stiffness associated with arthritis. DryCast Arthritis Gloves and Arthritis Gloves with Anti-Slip Grip are a great way to give yourself the relief you need!

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When you think about jobs with risk of injury, what comes to mind? Fire fighters, police officers, and construction workers probably rank high on most people’s lists. But did you know that even the most sedentary jobs involving simple physical activities, like computer data entry, carry the risk of on-the-job injury?

Working for extended periods of time at a computer can actually cause excessive stress on the wrist. Many people who spend significant time typing develop aches and discomfort in their wrists. Often, the problem is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. 

What Causes Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, “Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is the most common and widely known” condition that involves compression of the nerves. The forearm and palm are connected by a number of ligament and bones, and this passageway, or “tunnel” also holds the median nerve. This nerve can become agitated when the tendons around it become swollen. As the tendons swell, they press up against this nerve, causing pain, numbness, or weakness.

Because of where it is situated, this median nerve tends to be more commonly compressed in women. Women are three times as likely as men to suffer from Carpal Tunnel Syndrome because their wrists usually have a narrower carpal tunnel. Some people are born naturally predisposed to the syndrome, as their genetics have determined a more narrow bone and ligament structure. In addition, people may develop these symptoms due to external trauma. A fracture of the bone can certainly be to blame, but even something as seemingly harmless as repetitive wrist motion can also cause swelling of the surrounding tendons.

Skilled manual laborers or people who work on assembly lines often develop Carpal Tunnel Syndrome as a result of consistent strain on their wrists. Cleaners, manufacturers, tailors, and meat packers are commonly associated with this problem, as are secretaries and data entry professionals.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Treatment

Very often, simple over-the-counter remedies can be helpful, like aspirin, Tylenol, or ibuprofen. In certain circumstances more intensive medical intervention may eventually be recommended, like shots or even surgery. However, usually the discomfort can be alleviated by wrist exercises and by carpal tunnel gloves and carpal tunnel braces. These gloves and braces properly position your wrists so that no unnecessary stress is placed upon them. By neutralizing these bones and tendons, the wrist can begin to heal and further injury is prevented.

For a complete line of carpal tunnel products, check out DryCast’s line of gloves and braces. DryCast offers a variety of products that can bring real relief to your achy wrists.

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After coming home with a cast, there are lots of things you now have to consider:

How will I get around the house? How will I drive? How will I get up and down the stairs? Who will help me with my daily functioning needs? And so many more. But perhaps the most pressing question of all is: How will I shower?

This is truly a critical question. Showering is a daily activity that for most of us is an absolute must, whether it is to wind down at night, or to get us going in the morning. However, if a cast gets wet, there can be serious consequences. That’s why it’s important to take the time and think about the best possible strategies for showering with a cast.

A quick Google search reveals that lots of people haven’t the foggiest notion of how to shower with a cast. Some people think that by simply sticking their foot out of the shower, they will succeed in keeping their cast dry. Ask anyone who has tried that method – it is simply not a good plan. The cast inevitably gets wet, despite the greatest effort to avoid water. Perhaps even more importantly, you could seriously hurt yourself trying to balance yourself while sticking your cast-wearing leg out the shower. The last thing you want is to end up back at the doctor’s office with another broken leg!

Other people have figured out that sticking one leg out of the shower is no solution. Instead, they try something which seems sensible, but is in fact equally fraught with problems: tying a bag around the cast. Whether it is an arm or a leg, a garbage bag wrapped over the cast is simply an ineffective cast cover. Water inevitably leaks through the bag, reaching beneath your cast. Sometimes the bag actually rips, but even if it doesn’t, water tends to seep through the opening, no matter how tight you think you have tied it.

There is only one effective, proven solution for showering with a cast: a waterproof cast cover for shower and bath. A waterproof leg cast cover or arm cast cover ensures that your cast will stay dry. And when it comes to purchasing a waterproof cast protector for shower, there is one company, DryCast, that has been providing shower cast protectors to countless satisfied customers. All you need to do is read through some of our testimonials in order to see what people are saying about our cast covers. Our patented non-latex covers create a 100% waterproof seal while simultaneously allowing complete freedom of movement. The best news is that you can use your waterproof cast protector over and over again. So don’t mess around when it comes to keeping your cast dry: get a DryCast Shower Cast Protector, and say goodbye to balancing acts, garbage bags, and wet casts!

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Let’s be honest: we all like to save a buck when we can. If the opportunity to avoid spending the extra cash presents itself, we usually jump at it. That’s why it’s no surprise that countless cast-wearers attempt to devise their own cast cover for the shower in the hope of saving some money. “Why spend money on a professionally designed cast cover when I can just jimmy-rig something myself?” Invariably, the most common contraption people come up with is the garbage bag cover. Whether it’s a broken leg or broken arm, many people believe that by simply wrapping a garbage bag around the cast, they can safely prevent their cast from getting wet. The more advanced garbage bag users will wind a rubber band at the end of the bag to try to seal up the hole, or tie up the bag in some other way.

Today, we are here to break the news: a garbage bag is an ineffective cast cover!

You don’t need to take out word for it, either.

Ill give five bucks to whoever can tie a garbage bag on my arm and successfully keep my cast dry for the whole shower #rocketscience

— Lauren Beck (@l_beck3) October 28, 2013

Ask anybody who has been in a cast and tried to cover it up with a garbage bag. They will undoubtedly tell you that garbage bags are not effective cast covers for the shower!

Here are some of the reasons why a garbage bag simply doesn’t work to keep your cast dry in the shower:

1. It is nearly impossible to close the bag properly and to be certain that no water will leak through to the cast. The opening of the cast cover needs to be snugly flush on the skin to ensure complete waterproof protection. With a garbage bag and some duct tape- that is simply not happening!
2. Even if you were to somehow – miraculously? - figure out how to keep the bag sealed, the force of the shower alone would push the bag out of place. The leakage is inevitable when you factor in the force of the shower water as it hits the bag.
3. One thing all garbage bag wearers will agree upon: it’s annoying! There is nothing quite as frustrating as repeatedly holding down that bag and hopelessly trying to get the tape to stick, as your grand garbage bag plan fails once again. When you leave the shower, not only do you have a messy garbage bag to rip off of your skin; you also have a damp and itchy cast to deal with.
4. Most garbage bag wearers will also tell you that they spend a lot of their time in the shower trying to keep their cast out of the water anyways, since they know deep down that there is no way their garbage bag contraption will actually keep their cast dry. Instead of a refreshing and enjoyable experience, showering turns into a nuisance, full of worry and anxiety.

Fortunately, you don’t need to rely on the shoddy garbage bag method. Want to know how to shower with a cast? You can put your trust into DryCast shower protectors, which will keep your cast dry throughout your shower. Our patented model ensures that the cast cover is indeed flush with your skin, snugly pressed against your arm or leg, to keep out all moisture. There is no need to keep your covered cast out of the shower water; it is safely protected from all water, even from the strong force of the shower. DryCast cast covers are easy to slip on, and easy to slip off, and can be used over and over again by the same person. Enjoy a relaxing shower, as you confidently go about your normal business, knowing that your cast is staying dry.

Your cast is too important to be protected by a garbage bag. Getting your cast wet can lead to all sorts of problems, sometimes even the resetting of the cast. Invest in the product that keeps your cast safe and dry – DryCast!

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Learning how to function while wearing a cast is no easy feat. Whether you are trying to get dressed with a broken arm, walk with a leg cast, or write with a cast on your writing hand, living with a fractured limb can be daunting and difficult. If you rely on your car to get to work every day (or for carpool), no doubt you are also wondering: Can I drive while wearing a cast?

 The following expert tips will guide you on how to deal with wearing a cast and significantly reduce the inconvenience so that you can better function and manage while your broken bones heal.

 Common Cast Complications

 Since it can take anywhere from six to eight weeks for most adult fractures to mend (somewhat less for children), cast complications are bound to surface. Due to doctors’ cardinal rule for cast wearers - “Don’t get your cast wet!” - much has already been said about how to safely bathe and shower and even swim with a cast. However, much less is known about how to perform simple daily activities when you have a broken arm, a broken leg, or any other type of fracture.

 Have you ever tried to put on a pair of jeans while wearing a leg cast or get dressed with a broken arm? How can you do homework, tie up shoe laces, or get around with a cumbersome cast weighing you down? And under what circumstances, if any, are you allowed to drive while wearing a cast?

 Here are some solutions to these common cast struggles:

 How to Get Dressed While Wearing a Cast

• Select clothing made of stretchy material which fits easily over bulky casts
• Select clothing without zippers or buttons

I put on a long sleeve shirt then look at my left arm and say, "well the cast won't fit under that" #injuredprobz

— ⚽Jesse Cooper⚽ (@jjcoop_12) October 20, 2013

• Wear shirts with short or no sleeves
• Using your good arm, put your shirt sleeve over your cast first, minimizing movement of your injured arm
• Select pants with an elasticized waist and skirts which easily pull over your head
• Select clothing with pockets, which is especially practical when you can’t carry a handbag or when your arms are busy maneuvering crutches
• Drape a shawl over your shoulders to stay warm instead of struggling with putting on/removing a winter coat or jacket
• Ask a family member or friend for assistance in getting dressed
• Ask your doctor, occupational therapist, or physiotherapist for special assistive devices designed to help cast wearers function and put on shoes and socks using only one hand
• If you are a fashion-conscious cast wearer, try a colored cast or transform your cast from clumsy to cool with a cast tattoo or a stylish fabric cast cover. And don’t forget a high-quality cast protector to keep your cast dry and your limbs protected as they heal
• Finally, avoid any movements which cause pain during the dressing process

How to Write While Wearing a Cast

If your cast is on your writing arm, you will likely not be able to write. Ask your boss/teacher to accommodate your needs (i.e. dictate notes or take tests orally) and for assistance in completing homework.

If your cast is on your non-writing arm, use a heavy object or book to hold your paper in place and to secure run-away materials while you write, minimizing the need to move/use your casted arm. 

Driving with a Cast

The results of numerous studies and investigations are clear: Driving is not recommended for anyone wearing a cast (or any other device which limits joint mobility). According to studies, even wearing a wrist splint can significantly impair one’s ability to operate a vehicle, while it takes longer to break while wearing a leg cast; in all cases, emergency reaction times are longer. Hence before you get behind the wheel after sustaining a fracture, be sure your doctor has cleared you to drive safely.

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Need immediate cast relief from itchiness, perspiration, or odor? You are not alone! As millions of cast wearers everywhere will attest to, keeping an orthopedic cast clean, dry, and comfortable is no easy task. Whether it’s bacteria and moisture buildup from perspiration, accidental wetting of the cast lining, or the inevitable odor and itch that are part-and-parcel of wearing a cast for weeks on end, cooling cast relief is in high order.

There is no doubt about it: Wearing, eating, sleeping, writing, bathing, working, and even sweating with a cast is a royal pain! In fact, most cast wearers describe the experience of wearing a cast as hot, sweaty, itchy, and downright uncomfortable. If it’s not enough to deal with the inconvenience of sustaining a fracture and living with a broken limb, you may also not be sleeping well at night or you may be staying up at night trying to comfort your children who have sustained a broken arm, a broken leg, or any other type of fracture.

Thankfully, relief is close at hand with new-and-improved special cast care products such as anti-itch sprays, warm cast socks, cast mobility aids, and cast coolers. In fact, a high-quality cast cooler will not only remove moisture and perspiration, protecting the cast lining and keeping the skin under your cast fresh and dry, but it is designed to reduce odor and itch and offer you a well-deserved and much-needed good night’s sleep!

Of course, no matter how good your intentions are, the fact of the matter is that at some stage during the healing process, most casts accidentally get wet. Whether it’s a sprinkling from the shower, an encounter with bath or tap water, or water from the swimming pool, moisture seeping into your cast is a problem. That’s why it is imperative that cast wearers invest in a 100% waterproof cast protector or cast cover.These must-have cast products come in a variety of adult and children’s sizes and can be custom-made to fit the shape of your particular orthopedic cast.

However, the one type of moisture you simply cannot avoid or prevent from getting under your cast is your own perspiration or sweat! And since this trapped moisture is a feeding ground for bacteria growth, you can add a smelly odor, an insatiable itch, and irritated skin to your list of cast complications and complaints.

At this point, you are in need of some instant and effective cast cooling relief. Fortunately, a high-quality cast cooler kills all of these birds with one stone, removing moisture from the cast lining, offering relief to your hot and bothered skin, and making the experience of wearing a cast that much easier to endure.

And now that you have effectively cleaned, cooled, and refreshed the skin under your cast, you might want to keep the good mood going with a fun and fashionable cast cover. Today’s cast covers come in a rainbow of funky and trendy colors and in a whole host of fabrics, patterns, and designs. So decorate your cast today, keeping you looking dapper instead of drab and giving your cast a flash of flair.

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Is Cast Comfort Possible?

Is your itchy cast driving you crazy? Do you or your loved one want out of your cast right now because of itchy skin? Does cast comfort seem unattainable?

As any cast wearer will tell you, the words “cast” and comfort” rarely go together! Not only are casts heavy, cumbersome and difficult to maneuver with, but over time most people with fractured limbs suffer from an itchy, smelly cast which is downright annoying.

Caused by a buildup of bacteria, by a hot, sweaty cast, by a cast which is too tight, or by perspiration or moisture that becomes trapped in the cast lining, the itch, and stink of wearing a cast makes recovery that much harder and unbearable.

How to Keep Your Cast Clean, Cool, and Comfortable

Undoubtedly, a golden rule in good cast care is keeping your cast dry, but did you know that keeping your cast clean and cool is just as important? And while most cast wearers are tempted to relieve itchy skin by scratching with a pencil, ruler, knitting needle, or coat hanger or by pouring lotions inside their cast, another cardinal rule in proper cast care is to keep foreign objects out! Not only can they get stuck inside, but scratching the skin under a cast can lead to infection and other cast complications.

So what’s the best way to get relief from an itchy, sweaty, smelly cast? You can enjoy instant relief by investing in a professional anti-itch spray, designed to cool, dry and freshen skin, remove odors, evaporate moisture, and kill bacteria while your broken bones heal. To reach far-away areas deep inside your cast, the best cast anti-itch sprays come with an extended applicator tube.

How to Sleep with a Hot, Sweaty Cast

Can’t sleep because your itchy, sweaty cast is keeping you awake at night? To speed dry your cast, to reduce odor and itch, and to keep your cast clean and comfortable, you can enjoy a full night’s rest and a good night’s sleep by investing in a cast cooler. Professional cast coolers suck moisture and perspiration right out from the inside lining of a cast, keeping bacteria away and keeping casts odor and itch-free.

Home Remedies for Cast Itch Relief

To curb the urge to scratch under your cast, try some of these time-proven home remedies for cast itch relief:

• Keep your cast clean and dry at all times
• Stay away from sand and dirt
• Blow cool air into your cast from a hair dryer or fan
• Apply an ice pack (wrapped in a thin towel) to the closest exposed area

Cast Comfort: Walking with a Leg Cast

As any cast wearer will tell you, walking with a cast is no walk in the park! Fortunately, orthopedic specialists have designed a product which can help. It not only keeps dirt, bacteria, and moisture away but is designed to maximize cast comfort for anyone with a broken toe, broken foot, or broken ankle.

Depending on the nature of the fracture, leg casts come in all shapes and sizes. This is what makes one-size-fits-all cast socks the ideal solution. Machine washable and reusable, cast socks easily slip over any cast. They can also be worn over splints, prostheses, bandages, burns, rashes, and skin grafts.

Gone are the days of itchy, sweaty, and smelly casts! Say hello to a new era of enhanced cast comfort and care! Say hello to instant cast itch relief, and to a full and speedy recovery for you and your bones.

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We all know how physically painful a broken arm or leg can be. But beyond the physical discomfort, a sometimes overlooked aspect of being in a cast is the emotional toll it can take on the patient. While dealing with the pain and discomfort of a broken leg, a person may also begin to develop mental or emotional distress. It is important to recognize that this is a very normal part of the experience of being in a cast. After all, having a cast means that many of your normal activities need to be modified and sometimes even abandoned altogether:

                Driving your car

                Exercise (which itself has been proven to be quite beneficial for your mental health!)

                Recreation (sports, going out with friends, vacationing)

                Preparing meals in the kitchen (try cutting up some vegetables with a cast on your hand!)

                Writing

                Showering (more on that later)

And the list goes on and on…

Adjustment Disorder/Situational Depression

Because of these dramatic changes in lifestyle and daily functioning, some cast-wearers may develop a form of depression called Adjustment Disorder (sometimes called Situational Depression). Adjustment Disorder refers to the depression that a person experiences following a specific external event in his or her life that presents new challenges. Typically, as the person comes to make peace with the new phase of life, and begins to adapt, the depressions recedes. Sometimes this process can take as long as six months. Adjustment Disorder is a very normal reaction to the fundamental life changes that come with getting a cast.

Symptoms

Some of the symptoms of Adjustment Disorder include:

Sadness

Hopelessness

Frequent crying

Agitation

Problems sleeping

Fatigue

Changes in Appetite

Ways to Cope

1. One way to help overcome the emotional challenges is to engage in whatever form of exercise  that you can. Of course, this should be done in consultation with your doctor; it is important that you choose a course of exercise that does not put undue stress on your healing limb. However, exercise has been proven to positively affect the hormones in your body that influence your level of happiness. So get moving!

2. Another critical way of dealing with Situational Depression is to seek the support that family members and friends can offer. It is times like these that they can be your greatest assets. Whether it’s to help you with small things, like running to the grocery store for you, picking up the kids from school, or even larger favors like helping you get around on a daily basis, don’t hesitate to use the people around you for help!

3. Many people recovering from broken bones have found online support groups to be an extremely effective method of finding the emotional support they need. Connecting with people online who are going through similar challenges is a great way to find the strength in yourself to continue on in your own struggles. Facebook, Google Plus, and other social media platforms can be helpful in this regard, as well as other website discussion forums dedicated exclusively to the cast-wearing population. For example, www.mybrokenleg.com is a very popular site for people recovering from broken limbs.

4. While you are recovering from a broken arm or leg, be sure to indulge in yourself a bit more than usual. Pamper yourself! Get yourself a copy of that book from the library that you’ve been meaning to read. Watch that movie that everyone’s been talking about. Whatever hobby you love to spend time on, make sure that you make your enjoyment a priority. You deserve it!

5. Sometimes, these coping strategies may not be sufficient, and a person may need to seek professional help. A licensed therapist can help you sort out your feelings and help you develop your own coping mechanisms. In some situations, a psychiatrist may need to be contacted as well.

6. Last but not least, there are certain products available that can go a long way in restoring your normal daily functioning. Showering is a daily activity that can be quite challenging with a cast. And for those people who enjoy swimming, a cast would seem to be the end of the pool. But fortunately, DryCast cast protectors can give you back your life! Shower with ease, and even take a dip in the pool, knowing with confidence that your cast will stay dry. DryCast cast protectors are durable and waterproof, offering top of the line protection for your cast. Leading healthcare professionals have endorsed our product as a wonderful solution for their patients. Now you can shower, bathe, and go swimming too, even with your arm or leg in a cast. Check out the full line of products at www.drycast.com. Good luck!

For more info:  

http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/mental-health-adjustment-disorder

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As most cast wearers will tell you, broken bones, fractured limbs, and wearing a cast can be a real pain…but if you follow these expert cast care tips, you can ensure that your cast does its job, that your bones heal properly, and that you are on the road to a full and speedy recovery.

Almost everyone knows that an integral part of cast care includes keeping your cast dry, clean, and protected. But do you know what to do when skin is itchy under a cast, what action to take in the case of swelling, what cast danger signs to watch for, when to call the doctor, or what the rules of driving with a cast are?

To give you the full scoop on how to care for your cast, here is a list of cast care “do’s” and “don’ts” from the experts:

Cast Care Do’s

• Do keep your cast clean and dry at all times
• Do stay away from sand and dirt
• Do elevate your fractured arm or leg or apply ice if there is mild swelling
• Do exercise the joints which are not immobilized by your cast and wiggle uninjured fingers or toes inside your cast frequently
• Do cover the edges of your cast with adhesive tape if your skin becomes red or irritated
• Do read up about types of fractures, different types of casts, and treatment for fractures
• Do check for cracks
• Do keep foreign objects out of your cast
• Do keep an eye out for cast complications
• Do call your doctor or visit the emergency room if: your limbs turn blue, white or purple; your toes or fingers tingle; you cannot feel or move your fingers/toes; the skin around the edges of your cast becomes raw or red; your cast becomes tight and painful; your cast has a foul smell
• Do invest in a high-quality cast protector which allows you to bathe, shower, and swim without having to worry about getting your cast wet
• Do use special anti-itch spray to relieve itchiness and foul odors under your cast
• Do blow cool air from a fan or hairdryer into your cast to relieve itchy/sweaty
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• Do call your doctor if you think you have a pressure sore or skin infection
• Do invest in cast mobility to aids designed to help you walk, eat, drink, dress, drive, reach, grip, and write while wearing a cast
• Do protect your children’s cast with a 100% waterproof kids cast cover, allowing them to jump, play, fully submerge under water, and not miss out any of the fun while their broken bones and injuries heal

Cast Care Don’ts

1. Do not stick foreign objects inside a cast (i.e. pens, pencils, coat hangers) to scratch skin and relieve itchiness as this may injure the underlying skin or lead to an infection
2. Do not use lotions, powder, or oils near or inside the opening of your cast
3. Do not alter your cast (i.e. remove padding or cotton lining)
4. Do not trim or break off cast edges
5. Do not play in the sand while wearing a cast
6. Do not ignore cast danger signs, including a wet cast, a loose cast, a cracked cast, cast tightness or pain, burning, numb or tingling feeling, red/raw skin around the edges of the cast, swelling, a warm spot on the cast, drainage, foul odors, bleeding, skin or nails near the cast turn blue or purple, inability to move fingers or toes inside the cast
7. Do not depend on plastic bags or plastic wrap to keep your cast dry in the bath or shower; invest in a high-quality cast protector or cast cover
8. Do not lean on or push on a cast, which can cause it to break
9. Do not drive with a cast unless your insurance policy covers you

Finally, after following these important cast care tips, if you find that wearing a cast is putting a damper on your spirits, try adding some flair and fun to your cast with cast decoration. Nowadays you can stylize your cast with trendy and fashionable cast covers, including designer cast covers, cast tattoos, and cast protectors in a rainbow of colors.

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