Yes, you can get a waterproof cast, a modern alternative to traditional plaster or cotton-lined casts used for immobilizing broken bones. These devices are designed to withstand moisture, allowing for bathing, showering, and sometimes even swimming without compromising the cast’s structure or the skin’s integrity underneath. This innovation addresses a significant limitation of traditional casting, offering a more hygienic and convenient option for many patients during the healing process.
Traditional vs. Waterproof Casts
The inability of a traditional cast to get wet stems from the absorbent padding used closest to the skin. Standard casts typically use a fiberglass outer shell over a cotton or synthetic felt inner lining. When this padding becomes saturated with water, it holds moisture against the skin for extended periods, creating several problems.
A prolonged damp environment inside the cast can quickly lead to skin maceration, irritation, and a high risk of bacterial or fungal infection. Furthermore, the wet padding can break down or bunch up, which changes the fit and compromises the stable immobilization of the injured limb. Traditional plaster casts are even more susceptible, as water directly weakens the plaster material, causing it to soften and crumble.
Waterproof casts circumvent this issue by replacing the absorbent cotton with a specialized, non-absorbent liner. The outer shell is still commonly made of lightweight, durable fiberglass, but the inner component is engineered to manage water exposure. This design allows water to flow through the cast and drain out, rather than being soaked up and trapped against the skin.
Types of Waterproof Casting Materials
The effectiveness of a waterproof cast relies on its unique inner lining, which is made from synthetic, quick-drying materials. These linings often utilize technologies such as Gore-Tex, Delta-Dry, or other proprietary synthetic paddings. These materials do not absorb water, allowing moisture to pass through and drain away.
The key to their function is a porous structure that prevents the material from becoming saturated. Some liners use microscopic pores that allow water vapor to escape, while others are a mesh that facilitates drainage. This water-resistant padding is applied directly to the skin before the fiberglass shell is wrapped around it.
Practical Considerations and Care
While a waterproof cast can get wet, it requires specific care to ensure the skin remains healthy and the cast stays functional. You can generally shower, bathe, and even swim in a pool with the cast, but prolonged soaking should be limited. Doctors advise against swimming in natural bodies of water like lakes, oceans, or rivers, because sand, dirt, and microbes can become trapped inside the cast, causing severe skin irritation or infection.
After any water exposure, the cast must be thoroughly rinsed with clean, fresh water, especially if soap, chlorine, or saltwater was involved. This rinsing flushes out residue that could irritate the skin or cause odor as it dries. It is often recommended to get the cast wet daily to maintain hygiene and reduce odor buildup.
Proper drying is important to prevent prolonged dampness against the skin. After allowing excess water to drain out, accelerate the drying process by using a hairdryer on a cool setting only. Blowing cool air into the ends of the cast helps evaporate the remaining moisture from the liner and the skin. Drying times typically take about 90 minutes to a few hours to feel completely dry.
Who Cannot Use a Waterproof Cast
Despite their convenience, waterproof casts are not suitable for all injuries or patients. A major limitation is the initial phase of injury where significant swelling is present. Doctors need to monitor swelling closely, and a waterproof cast can be harder to adjust or remove quickly if the limb swells dangerously.
They are also contraindicated in cases involving open wounds, cuts, or fresh surgical incisions that carry a high risk of infection. The closed, moist environment is not ideal for proper wound care. Furthermore, injuries requiring pins or surgical hardware protruding through the skin cannot use a waterproof cast due to the risk of moisture introducing infection directly into the bone.