Hi, my 3 (almost 4) yo broke her elbow at my Mother in law's last week. She got a full arm cast for it, a fiberglass one, and we bought the special bag for it to keep water out when bathing. The orthopedist told me she can't go swimming or in a bath. However, other people I know said they had kids who had broken bones and had a full arm cast and as long as they used that tight bag to seal the water out, they went swimming in the pool no problem. So what's the deal folks? Anyone have experience with this? I don't want to mess up her cast or cause a problem, but if we can swim, I'd love to. It's the last bit of summer...
Yep, my six year old had a broken wrist last summer. We weren't allowed to get it wet. But, I wrapped that sucker in cling wrap, taped plastic bags over the top, and then put the special bag on top. It was fine. We went swimming many times. Look online for great cast protectors for swimming, and enjoy!
When I was 10 (30 years ago), I broke my arm and had a fiberglass cast on it. I was able to get it wet. I even went in the ocean. There was no problem and not even a bag to seal it. I'd ask your doctor, though. =D
My kids have broken bones, but we never had a fiberglass cast so we didn't have to worry about getting them wet. I do know that you CAN NOT get those wet.
My 5 yr old son broke his elbow last spring. He needed surgery, pins, and a cast. We had the arm seal too so he could shower. Our doctor said no swimming also, but not only because of the cast. He didn't want my son using his arm a lot so it would have a proper chance to heal. your doctor may be afraid your daughter would over work the arm and compromise healing. It's so hard to have a little one with restrictions! Good luck!
My son had a cast this past January and it was not supposed to get wet. We did buy a cast sleeve to protect it while in the bath etc. I was also encouraged to get an inflatable cast cover, that basically suctions to the arm with no possibility of water getting in. A friend used this in the ocean and her cast was fine
http://store.drycorp.com/FA-14-Small-Full-Arm-Waterproof-...
we did not have a big concern for one since ours happened during winter
I'd probably not risk it. I'd be more worried about moisture causing a skin infection or growing mold as it won't be able to air out than ruining the cast, but I've never had a broken bone or had any family members with one either so all the worries I have are speculative. If the bag's seal didn't hold and water got down in there I'd imagine it would be uncomfortable if it wasn't able to dry out.
My son broke his ankle last October. It was insanely rainy and we had a lot of activities planned and paid for in October and November while he had the cast. You can buy a special plastic bag at CVS that is made to go over a cast so they can bathe etc and not get it wet. We bought a couple so one could dry while he used the other while we went out. We put the bag on it when we went out and it was raining as well. His was a walking cast so it was extra important we kept it dry, even if it wasn't raining the ground was wet.
If the cast gets wet it can ruin it and can cause rashes under the cast as well. My son ended up having to get several casts and a walking boot over the course of it healing. He wore through the padding the first time after 2 weeks, then he developed a horrible rash all over where the cast was after another 2 weeks and wore the walking boot for the remaining 2 or 3 weeks. We think part of that was because we had all the hassle with trying to keep it dry. Maybe ask if they can replace it with a waterproof cast. But I wouldn't risk it with the bag, it doesn't do a good enough job keeping things dry long term while swimming.
There are casts that can get wet, my guess is that if they told you to keep it dry then your child does not have one of those.
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NOOOOO SWIMMING... I've broken my fair share of bones (and plus some)... keep your kiddo out of the pool. Maybe like an inflatalbe kiddy pool, like a few inches of water... don't chance it. If even a portion of that cast gets wet, you have to start all over.
I got my son one of the ADULT water proof covers, and he's STILL not going swimming... and his very first beach trip starts TOMORROW. Boo... BUT, there will be other beach trips. Have your daughter play life guard, but no swimming, seriously, you really don't want her to have to start all over and get re-casted. Sorry :(
My daughter broke her arm at the beginning of the summer last year, and was in a full-arm fiberglass cast. She of course did this a week before our beach vacation. The whole thing would have been ruined if she hadn't been able to swim. Against my better judgement, we went online an ordered a cast cover from DryPro. It was excellent. It worked perfectly and not a drop of water got through. It was expensive, though so I don't think I would get it if it were the end of the summer and we weren't going anywhere.
There is a difference in cast materials, some are waterproof but most are not.Trust your doc.
My 9 year old nephew just broke his ulna (had surgery with his mom present, she is an ER doc) and there is some casting material that is permitted for swimming/bathing with no problem. I would find out what it is and get it replaced if necessary.
None of my kids have had a cast so far. But I broke my ankle in January and had to have a cast. It was fiberglass also and I was told to not get it wet. Partially because it'll damage the cast itself but more because of the water getting down inside it and causing infections, rashes and mold.
My opinion ... get the bags as suggested below for baths and skip the swimming till the cast comes off. But even with the bags ... try to keep it from getting too wet.
