Any suggestions on keeping a cast dry while showering?

[applecrisp]

I had foot surgery and I'm in a boot (like a ski boot). I had a plastic shower cover that is designed for casts --- but too small for my boot. I know they make larger one but need to track one down.

I rigged a few plastic bags (put my foot in a plastic bag), then put my boot on, covered with two bags etc and still water got in. Unless it was sweat from the plastic bag overkill.

Any suggestions are certainly welcome. I've been washing my hair in the sink since that cuts down the shower time.

I don't know how long I will be in the boot, I believe I go into a shoe soon, but not sure.

Thanks,

[LaraW]

DD broke her foot about 2 years ago, and if I remember correctly we would wrap a towel (like a hand towel) around the top of the cast with a rubber band, and then put the plastic around that, again securing with a rubber band. I guess our thought was that a towel would stop any water before it got to the cast. It seemed to work OK.

[oct2189]

I don't know if this will help, but I had a wrist cast and I used the bags as you did, then I wrapped the whole thing in duck tape. Stayed dry!

[Leslie Ferguson]

I wish I had good advice to offer. Years ago when I had my leg cast (ankle to mid-thigh/groin) I couldn't figure out how to get it covered so I ended up taking "sponge" baths for 6 weeks. Washed my hair in the kitchen sink and put my good leg in the tub and washed with a wash cloth.

Sorry I'm no help.
Les

[hollysmom]

If you have someone around the house to help you get in and out, maybe this is permission to relax and take baths for a while - so you can stick your foot out of the tub.

SSM

[avariell]

When I broke my ankle I did something similar to what HollysMom is suggesting. I would dangle my broken angle on the ledge of the bath and sit down in the tub. I'd use the handheld shower spray to wash and usually avoided my ankle

[hollysmom]

If you have someone around the house to help you get in and out, maybe this is permission to relax and take baths for a while - so you can stick your foot out of the tub.

SSM

[applecrisp]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. Much appreciated.

Lara , Oh I forgot to mention that I also used a small towel too, but thanks for bringing it up anyway, a super helpful idea if I didn't use one already.

I thought the amount of bags/ties etc that I used was totally overkill, guess not.

Washing my hair in the sink is the way to go since that would be way too long to spend in the shower.

A bath not an option, but sounds good. Thanks for mentioning.

I am hoping to be in a shoe cast soon, and no idea on when I can go sans shoe/boot and start standing on it.

Thanks again.

[LaraW]

I don't know if this is an option, but we had her sit on a milk crate with a towel folded up on it, and kind of propped her leg up on the side of the tub (she had a cast up to her knee), and used the hand-held shower on her. Do you have a hand-held shower head you can use?

[applecrisp]

Lara --

Unfortunately no hand held shower. Great idea about the milk crate (I'll file that tip away), since standing with a plastic bag..... always worried about slipping.

I have one of those plastic covers that they make for casts, hope to be able to use that contraption soon when I get a smaller boot/shoe.

Thanks for the ideas.

[cchhbb]

There is an adapter that you can purchase to hook up a hand held shower. Perhaps that would help.

[mgbarber]

I was in a cast for eight weeks, again for 12 weeks and just recently this year for a few weeks at a time. I completely understand your dilema. I had the same shower covering you are talking about designed for casts. Usually they are a one size fits all, however, you may be able to double check with your doctor or with a local medical durable supply business. This might be an item covered under your insurance too. Mine was. The durable medical supply place I use here has a lot of bathing supplies available for amputee's with stump dressing and others with casting issues. Those are the two places I would start.

I also washed my hair in the kitchen sink and did a lot of bird baths on high pain days.

Wearing a cast is so bothersome. Hope you find a solution that works for you.

mgbarber

[bekki]

Due to a wrist injury and two surgeries, I was casted on and off for about 7 months. This was a godsend:

http://www.xerosox.com

I don't know if the investment is worth it to you right now, but it was very useful for me. I could even swim, it was awesome! You just have to be careful and only wear it for like 30-40 minutes at a time, or else your limb starts to get mad at you.