Cast covers are usually long sleeves made of waterproof material. You pull these over your cast. They come in different sizes to fit a wide variety of types of casts. Their main benefit is they’re far sturdier than other options, making tears less likely. Some cast covers come with a pump that sucks air out of the cover. This forms a tight seal surrounding the cast, adding extra protection.
Newspaper bags, bread bags, or small trash bags usually work well. You would pull a bag over the cast and seal it on top using a rubber band or duct tape. Rubber bands may be gentler on the skin, and allow you to reuse the bag after showering. Make sure to check the bag for any holes prior to using it to waterproof your cast.
Keep in mind plastic wrap may be less effective than other methods. While it is relatively inexpensive, you may end up with gaps where the cast is exposed.
Make sure your chair is secure. If a chair slips and slides in the shower, this could cause further injury. You may have to lay a bathmat down to prevent sliding. Have someone without a broken leg test the chair’s security before you attempt to get into the shower.
Use whatever you can hold onto for support. Try holding onto the sides of the shower, or the shower bar if it is secure. Keep in mind, some shower bars are not actually drilled into the wall. Test to see if the bar is secure before attempting to use it as support. Gently sit down in the chair and situate your leg away from the shower’s running water. Turn your body so you’re facing the shower controls.
If you do not have a detachable shower hose, you can try showering with the main shower head and a wet wash cloth. Just be extra cautious to keep water away from your cast. You should always wrap your cast in protective covering prior to showering.
If you have a wheel chair, gently lower yourself back into the wheelchair after getting out of the shower stall.
Try taking a bath instead of a shower. If you have a broken arm, it may be easier to keep your arm out of the water in a bath. You can simply place your arm on the edge of the tub while washing the rest of your body. If you strongly prefer a shower, try to keep your cast away from running water. You may have to keep the broken limb outside of the shower during the bathing process. However, even if you keep your cast away from the water, do not bathe or shower without a cover. Even a small amount of water can be harmful to a cast.
If you have a child in a cast, you may be comfortable simply sponge bathing your child until he’s feeling more comfortable with his or her cast. If you’re an adult, you can try sponge bathing yourself near a sink. If you have someone you’re comfortable asking, see if that person can provide a sponge bath.
There are several types of waterproof cast materials. Ask your doctor about which material would work for your cast. Some materials may work better than others, so your doctor should be able to explain what materials would work for you. Keep in mind a waterproof cast is not 100% waterproof. While it can withstand water better than most casts, you should still take precautions when bathing, showering, or swimming. Try to get the cast wet infrequently. A waterproof cast may not be appropriate if you have a fracture that requires mobility to heal.
Use a hairdryer to dry a cast. Always use the cool setting. The hot or warm setting could cause a burn. You can also try a vacuum cleaner hose, if you do not have a hair dryer.
