Water-resistant casting: nonsurgically managed fractures

While synthetic casts used to immobilize fractures are water-repellent, conventional cast liners are not. Accordingly, patients are instructed to cover casts while washing and showering, and are advised not to swim or bath. Healthcare assistants (HCAs) should be aware of water-resistant casts because the expanding scope of the role may lead to contact with cast patients. Patients may also ask HCAs about the conditions of casting. We present the findings of a retrospective audit of 30 children and adult patients immobilized following minimally displaced extremity fractures, treated with a water-repellent cast padding and synthetic casts. All patients reported excellent or very good patient satisfaction, with no skin integrity complications. No patient presented skin maceration, itchy or flaky dermatology on cast removal. All patients showered and bathed with their cast. Further study of this material with a larger population of weight-bearing and non weight-bearing patients is reccommended.