Can I Get My Cast Wet?

[@ruthbuck6202]

Hello Dr. Weening/Dr. Zalzal, I really enjoy watching your videos and you two are hilarious together!! First distal fracture of my left wrist (rollerblading) I had a 3 hour surgery and an external fixator was on for 4 weeks! Since I wasn't allowed to get it wet I put a plastic bag over it when showering/bathing. When I fractured the same wrist 19 years later (slipped on black ice) I had a plaster cast applied at urgent care then a few days later a fiber glass one was applied. It was on for 6 weeks and became SO itchy that I stuck a pencil down it to scratch- I know, NOT a good idea!! Thanks to the dedicated staff at the Hand and Upper Limb Clinic at St Joe's in London, ON I got back 100% function both times although I now have osteoarthritis. Thanks for all of the great information you provide!! I am subscribed!! 😊

[@TalkingWithDocs]

Hi Ruth. Thanks for sharing your story. Yes the people at the HULC are awesome. Glad you did so well. Thanks for watching and subscribing

[@jkashoto]

Enjoying the videos! Thanks. Possible topics? - Spinal Stenosis - Socialized Medicine vs Non Socialized - Views on chiropractic approaches to pain relief

[@TalkingWithDocs]

Thanks Mike. Love the suggestions. Thanks for watching and subscribing

[@sylviamac]

Sitting here with my arm in a plaster cast, enjoying your video. Many thanks. Yes, I’ve kept it dry. Yes, heavy!!

[@TalkingWithDocs]

Hi Sylvia. Hang in there. Thanks for watching and subscribing if you did

[@leodikinis7390]

I like these guys!! Keep up the excellent content!

[@TalkingWithDocs]

Thanks so much Leo! Thanks for watching and subscribing

[@mom2boys170]

When my son broke his arm he had a significant cast, upper arm to hand. Opted for fibreglass, I think a plaster cast would have been half his weight! Picked up a handy child size arm sleeve for bathing. But yes the struggle is real! Middle of summer and no swimming allowed, wish I knew about the Gore-Tex!

[@TalkingWithDocs]

Hee Mom2Boys it is real. Hope he did alright. Thanks for watching and subscribing

[@monicaoleksy]

Great job. Thanks for the information. Keep up the good work .

[@TalkingWithDocs]

You are very welcome Monica. Thanks for watching and subscribing

[@mandydehoog2708]

Great info Docs. Never had one and hope I never have one. 😃🤗❤️🇨🇦

[@TalkingWithDocs]

Us either Mandy. Thanks for watching and subscribing if you did

[@izardlizard7997]

You guys seem cool, makes my situation right now seem not as bad thank you

[@TalkingWithDocs]

Well that’s good to hear!

[@dtishman]

Can you talk about an old rugby injury, an SC joint dislocated, that the doctors said was too dangerous to operate on? Anything that can be done.

[@TalkingWithDocs]

Hi dtishman. It can be a dangerous operation especially if the clavicle is dislocated posterily towards the heart and the lungs. Leaving it there as long as it does not compress the vessels usually just Leads to mild pain and a subtle deformity. Hope you are doing OK. Thanks for watching and subscribing

[@ninaschroeder2793]

Thanks for the informative videos. I enjoy them. My son played hockey from kindergarten through junior hockey. In high school while playing hockey he broke his arm. After a couple of weeks they gave him a cast that allowed him to play hockey while casted. To shower or sit in a hot tub he would put on a glove for calving a cow(we farmed). He used a rubber ring from a canning jar to hold it in place. It kept his cast dry and him happy.

[@TalkingWithDocs]

Now that is genius Nina! Thanks for watching and subscribing

[@alidavalentinagosgnach700]

Thanks docs! I always kept my cast dry when I had it on my arm. Wonderful video thanks for the information.😊

[@TalkingWithDocs]

You are smart to have kept your cast dry Alida. Thanks for watching and subscribing

[@joseenoel8093]

At 14 in '75 I dislocated my knee being tackled and landing dead on,,,, my cast went from the top to my toes, my girlfriends and I thought it would be a good idea to paint it, nope and I needed to replace it!

[@TalkingWithDocs]

That’s funny Josee. Thanks for watching and subscribing

[@toryberch]

I have to chime in here and say when I was in my 30's with no health insurance I bought some cast plaster on Ebay for an injured ankle that was very painful. Thankfully we were smart 🤣 🤓 enough lol not to go through with it... 😳

[@TalkingWithDocs]

That’s really funny Tory. Thanks for watching and subscribing

[@morganreigns1984]

I'm in a cast for a jones fracture ... This sucks but im a cast bath 👑 queen now 😆 lol but seriously I go back on July 20th to see if it's healing :/

[@Ma.PrincessGccaeSantillan]

I have a burning pain undernearth my cast.. i tooka pain reliever

[@harrytrevenen2310]

how often do you see the femoral device, piston and settle after a hip replacement, resulting in a shortening of the leg? thanks

[@TalkingWithDocs]

Hi harry. It certainly happens. Often it can be just millimeters but occasionally if it is undersized for whatever reason it can subside. Usually it is a small amount and can be tolerated without a revision. Best of luck. Thanks for watching and subscribing if you did

[@Venzxoz]

Hey doc I just got a pan burn it hurts so bad

[@TalkingWithDocs]

No good Agey. Consider seeing a doctor. Thanks for watching and subscribing if you did

[@maureenmckillop3622]

I wore a 50lb. plaster body cast back in the 70's after a spinal fusion. Heavy! I looked and walked like Frankenstein.

[@TalkingWithDocs]

That’s funny Maureen. Thanks for watching and subscribing

[@PJL7095]

I was in a body cast too when I was 9 back in the 70s. No fiberglass back then but just the heavy white plaster. It only went down fully to my toes on my right leg but I remember only weighing 75 pounds but with the cast I weighed 95 pounds. Had it on for 12 weeks during summer swim season so that was out of the question but I had hip dysplasia so my parents wanted operation done during school summer vacation

[@kubotajordan9502]

Good advice docs as always. I Was getting tires replaced yesterday and I was telling folks about y'alls channel . Wishing you all a warmish day.

[@TalkingWithDocs]

Hi Kubota Jordan. Thanks for spreading the word!!! Thanks for watching and subscribing

[@rockeerockey6941]

Used an emry board\fingernail file

[@TalkingWithDocs]

Hi Rockee. Of course you did. Thanks for watching and subscribing if you did

[@flipflop7022]

Love your videos! Could you do a video on how you know if you should get surgery on a knee that occasionally hurts and has been diagnosed with a (maybe torn) meniscus or any other problem? Do you continue your usual activities ‘til you can’t anymore or is it better to fix it until it gets worse? Many thanks 🙏

[@TalkingWithDocs]

Hi flip-flop. We have done a couple videos about a torn meniscus. The answer ultimately is about your pain and function. If you can manage, you do not need surgery. If there are things that you need to do or like to do and cannot because of your knee pain, then you should consider surgery. Best of luck. Thanks for watching and subscribing

[@bryanutility9609]

I had a fiberglsss cast as a kid & went swimming all summer it sucked 😂

[@TalkingWithDocs]

Yes Bryan that would suck. Thanks for watching and subscribing

[@willardbuchanan9122]

Here's one do you haven't brought up itching with a coat hanger the old metal coat hanger

[@TalkingWithDocs]

Yes willard. Be careful! Thanks for watching and subscribing

[@mrparlanejxtra]

I have this silly old cousin who broke his leg. They put a plaster cast on him and told him to stay in bed until it set. They gave him a bottle to pee in. The nurse came back and asked, what is this trail of plaster of Paris all down the ward to the toilet and back to the bed? Did you do that. He said no. The lying Toad.

[@TalkingWithDocs]

That’s hilarious James. Thanks for watching and subscribing

[@Kate-qr5pj]

A garbage back and hockey tape we’re definitely my best friends

[@TalkingWithDocs]

Yes Kate for sure. Thanks for watching and subscribing

[@carolyndice2425]

It costs $20 extra for my totally waterproof cast….

[@TalkingWithDocs]

Money well spent Carolyn. Thanks for watching and subscribing if you did

[@rickrussell3527]

Hey guys, I’m wearing a fiberglass cast after a Achilles surgery. Fits pretty well but at the top of my shin it’s to tight. Is there any way to trim it with out hurting myself? Thanks

[@TalkingWithDocs]

Hi Rick. That should be done by a professional. You can cover the edge with tape or cloth to reduce the sharpness. Thanks for watching and subscribing

[@Eet_Your_Peez]

Is it okay if a fibreglass cast gets a little moist on the lining? Like maybe from a hot shower or even sweat?

[@jaytibbles2223]

Just before my 40th birthday one of my partners asked if there was anything I hadn't done. I went sky diving the next day1 On the 5th jump I tried a "fancy" landing. After conducting rounds with my residents my ankle was hurting MORE than it had been. The x-ray revealed a broken ankle. My orthopod partner threatened me with a cast iron cast!

[@TalkingWithDocs]

Hi Dr JAY. That is hilarious. Glad you are ok. Thanks for watching and subscribing

[@rundio6271]

Got my cast of month ago question why was my hair on my arm was dark when I got it off It's like that till this day

[@TalkingWithDocs]

Hi rundio. Great question. Our hair and skin is worn off daily with the contact of our clothes and under the cast the hair is allowed to grow unabated so it often is thicker and darker. Thanks for watching and subscribing if you did

[@rundio6271]

@@TalkingWithDocs thanks and your welcome

[@stevehofmaster7489]

Yes ihad a broken left arm when I was 7 and I remember my old plaster cast itched like crazy down there somehow I never got it wet though this was back in the dark ages late 50's😀😂😂

[@TalkingWithDocs]

Hi Steve. Yes the good ole days. Bet it was heavy. Thanks for watching and subscribing if you did

[@chafouaube985]

I guess rhe answer is no

[@TalkingWithDocs]

Exactly. Unless you have the gortex lining. Thanks for watching and subscribing

[@chafouaube985]

@@TalkingWithDocs i express my doubt before watching the video. I haved to return back at hospital for replacement of my cast

[@willardbuchanan9122]

What I should have said about having a cast when you have a really bad itch under the cast what is the best way to itch the arm or leg that's cast while you're in a cast without hurting yourself

[@TalkingWithDocs]

Hi willard. There isn’t really a safe way as it may irritate the skin and lead to problems. Ideally just try to control the itch. Thanks for watching and subscribing if you did

[@willardbuchanan9122]

@@TalkingWithDocs I've never had a cast yet knock on wood but I've heard different stories about people doing it my dad had a cast on his leg long time ago it was the pastor cast and he would use a coat hanger to itch his leg

[@davemac1888]

👍

[@TalkingWithDocs]

Thanks for watching and subscribing Dave

[@MustangSally7259]

👍❤

[@TalkingWithDocs]

Thanks Mustang Sally!