Keeping a Leg Cast Dry during Bathing

Okay, this is off-topic, but this is my contribution to the leg cast comfort that does not point one to an unseemly place of naked women in casts. There is an unbelievable dearth of information in this regard. Here is my small contribution.

Apparently there are covers that you can get at the store to keep your cast dry. I've been housebound since I've been bound, so I've not seen these. Here is my home-made remedy. What you will need:

• Plastic trash bag. A tall trash bag works fine for a leg cast that comes to just below the knee (as does mine). If you are protecting an arm cast, you might want to use a smaller sized bag.
• Compression bandage--about 6 ft worth.. (You should always have this on hand in the event that you suffer a sprain and need to put compression on it. Why not take a moment to check your first aid kit and update it as needed.)
  
• Tape, if your compression bandage does not have velcro on it. You could also use safety pins.
  

Method:

Slip the bag over your leg cast. I'm 5'5--tall kitchen garbage bag comes over my knee. Take your compression bandage and begin wrapping (taking care that you end up with velcro on the final end and on the inside) at the point of the top of your cast. Overlap each revolution by about 1/2 to 1/3 width of the bandage. Continue around your knee until you've completely covered up the end of the bag and you have a couple of revolutions of just plain bandage with no bag underneath. The bandage should be snug, but not tight.

The compression bandage will serve as a comfortable moisture absorber and will keep water from dripping inside your cast. Nevertheless, you should take some care to not encourage too much saturation. The trash bag will keep your cast perfectly dry. Now, I buy pretty decent bags. If you buy cheap stuff that might tear, you might consider the risk of tearing and watch for that. When you are done with your bathing, dry off. If you are a woman like me, put your hair i a towel so you don't drip on your cast. Unwind the bandage which will be wet. Hang it up for next use.

I've done this twice already, and it has worked beautifully.

Now I've been bathing in my kids' bathroom which has a shower head that detaches and serves as a hand held. Therefore, I can sit down and manipulate the shower head so as to avoid undue moisture. If you are in a stand up shower, you will want to ensure that you can distribute your weight wither on a crutch, a sturdy shower bar should you have one or a sturdy chair.

If you've searched this out because you are suffering from a break--I wish you speedy healing, and I hope this contributes a bit to your comfort during this awkward time.