Inexpensive Alternatives for Extremity Cast and Bandage Protection

Abstract

Cast and bandage protector bags that are available commercially are often used by patients to keep their splints dry while in the shower. Garbage bags are considered a less expensive, but cumbersome alternative to these commercially available bags. We report a case of a 22-year-old man who has discovered that newspaper bags serve as easy to use covers for casts and bandages that are essentially free. Inexpensive alternatives to commercially available cast and bandage protector bags such as newspaper bags, disposable umbrella bags, and bread bags should be discussed with patients to foster compliance in keeping their devices dry.

A Comparison of Various Contemporary Methods to Prevent a Wet Cast

“…Cast Cover (CVS Caremark, Woonsocket, Rhode Island), and Limbo (Thesis Technology Products, West Sussex, England) 10 .…”

“It's Not Just a Plaster Cast, My Leg Is in It!”

“…Patients tried to find solutions to this problem, including wrapping cellophane around the plaster, and keeping the leg with the plaster cast out of the shower. Naram et al (2011) stated that the plaster should be protected from water and suggested inexpensive alternative materials for doing this such as newspaper and umbrella bags, as well as disposable plaster protection bags. Patients stated that they had difficulty using assistive devices, as even with the devices (e.g., crutches) they still feared falling.…”

“…According to Cieza et al (2020), at 436 million, fractures are the second most prevalent musculoskeletal disorder. Plaster casts have been used in the treatment of fractures since 1850, and they play an important role in the healing of operative repairs (Ekwall et al, 2018; Naram et al, 2011). In fractures treated with plaster casts, the bone alignment is corrected and this alignment is maintained by limiting mobility (Naram et al, 2011).…”

“…Plaster casts have been used in the treatment of fractures since 1850, and they play an important role in the healing of operative repairs (Ekwall et al, 2018; Naram et al, 2011). In fractures treated with plaster casts, the bone alignment is corrected and this alignment is maintained by limiting mobility (Naram et al, 2011). However, if plaster casts are incorrectly applied or not properly taken care of by the patient, healing may be delayed and patient safety is threatened.…”