Can you swim in a long leg waterproof cast? ?

Question

My son broke his leg and is in a cast from his toes to his hip. We are supposed to be going away camping in a weeks time, but it won't be fair on him as it involves swimming most of the time. If we can get a waterproof one put on, will he be uncomfortable? Will it itch? My son is only 4. Any advice please.....?

Answer 1

Talk with your doctor about it.  The second source notes that it can take a long time to dry.  Of course it would be a shorter time for a child's cast. It would still be heavier than his other leg and be awkward in the water.  I do not know if the doctor would allow him to bear weight on it even in the water.  The cast is still hard and could injure someone else.

Your son may still be able to go into the water on an air mattress flotation device if he had a water proof cast. Talk to the doctor.

Answer 2

Getting a waterproof cast definitely has its advantages over the usual plaster casts.

I recently broke my foot quite badly and had from my toes to my thigh plastered in several different casts over about 3 and a half months.Out of all the casts, i found the waterproof ones to be the best..not only are they lighter but they dont itch as much as the heavier plaster ones.

You can get them wet, although drying them gets terribly frustrating. If your son is planning on swimming in the cast just be wary that if the water isn't all that clean it will start to smell..

I think most importantly you should make sure you're able to dry it really REALLY well afterwards..Would you be able to take a hair dryer camping? I'm sure, as he is only 4 and the cast would be small, it wouldn't take that long to dry..even if you limited him to swimming earlier in the day so that he can then sit in the sun and dry it out for a while.

If it does start to smell a bit, I found that sprinkling a little talcum powder inside can also ease the stench :)

Good luck and I hope you all have a great holiday!

- bee

Answer 3

I had a long  leg cast for quite a while and asked about a "swimmer" as I liked to swim at the time.  I opted to not have a swimmer because of its not drying completely.  Also,, you have to consider where your son would be swimming.  A pool is no problem, but in natural waterways or lakes, the algae could present a problem.  Check with your Dr. and good luck to your son.  I know that this is a difficult time for him - and good luck to you the parents.