:eek: I have a cast on for a severe sprain. I took a shower today and my cast got soaked. I used a trash bag and duct tape but it leaked through. I cannot get a hold of dr. I tried as best a I could to dry is with a blow dryer but it will not reach the rest.

What do I do?

Yikes... If its really that soaked go to your local ER and they can change it out for you. I was casted for 7 weeks after ankle surgery and I purchased at my local Medical Supply Store a cast cover which was "scuba" proof... It was heavy rubber and came with a hand bulb that you pumped the air out of the cover and it sucked to your cast and leg and I can tell you that I fully immersed my foot in the tub and I never got a drop of water in it. It was pricey about $45 but no headache of getting the cast wet. There are cheaper versions for about $10 that use velcro and such. Check it out once you get this cast changed out, it will save you alot of headache.
Sorry I couldn't offer you better advice but best of luck and let me know how you made out.
Carol

you must get a hold of your dr. or go tohe emergency room. you dont want to ruin the healing process.

Hi - I agree with Carol. Once you get the cast changed you need to go to a medical supply store. They will have cast/bandage protectors. My prodiatrist actually sold me one for $20 prior to my buion surgery. It was heavy guage plastic with a plastic ring and gasket at the top. It went all the way up my leg and sealed just below my knee. I was able to shower completely and no water ever got inside and I used it for 6 weeks straight.

I would think your doctor would have a back-up for emergencies like yours.

Good luck.

Mary

Carol (or anyone)
what is the brand of the cast protector that is 'scuba proof'? I am dying to take a shower and was going to wait the week until I saw my doctor but these sponge baths are not working for me. I have a leg cast on from a tendon transfer on my foot.

XeroSox was the heavy rubber one that I used. It's very similar (if not the same) as the one that Carol described.

-Britt

Hi Lynn
Mine was Xerosox as well. It worked great. Check out their website and find out where they are sold and you can probably find a cheaper option as well. I had thought that i would go swimming in my spare time but I never took into consideration that I was NWB and on crutches and lets not forget about the pain, so I never used it to swim but I did fully immerse my foot in the tub and it worked never got a drop of water in the boot...cast stayed dry.
Good luck and I wish you a successful recovery from your surgery.
Take care
Carol

Hi Lynn1991NY - the brand the doctor sold me was DMI (DuroMed Industries). It is not for recreational purposes but may be cheaper then the "scuba proof" one. I used it every day to shower and never had a problem and it was not difficult to get on or off. It was easier to put on if I put a stocking over the cast and wrap first only because my cast was held on with ace wraps and the stocking kept them in place while I was putting the protector on.

Good luck.

Mary

Thanks to all. I bought the Xerosox but have not used it yet. I am frightened to take a shower. Now I have an aircast so i don't even need the XeroSox. My surgeon said I can take the aircast off and shower but i am so scared to even try. For the 10 minutes the cast was off and theey were fitting the aircast on me, my foot hurt because it wasn't in the 90 degree angle. I cannot fathom trying to shower.

My foot really hurt when I got out of the cast and it was able to bend a bit. Try starting with a bath or sitting on the shower floor with your foot against the wall/ tub side. That helped a bit.

Even if the cast dried out - have it changed before infection mold or fungus sets in.

------Lynn1991NY-------

The initial change were hurt more just from the release of the pressure. If you are scared try showering with a "mate" - therauptic and can be fun(ny).