Broken bones are unfortunately common injuries. A 2010 CDC survey found that there were nearly 4 million emergency room cases where “fracture” was the first reported injury, a figure that makes up about 3 percent of all ER visits. The ubiquity of such accidents means that many people, at one point or another, are forced into wearing a cast. Orthopedic casts keep a bone stable while allowing the body to do the natural work of healing, and as such, are often one of the first lines of treatment for bone-related injuries. While medically valuable, casts can be inconvenient when it comes to everyday tasks. Activities that you may have taken for granted, such as getting dressed, showering or going for a swim, have to be adjusted to accommodate the presence of the new device. Traditionally, casts have been made of plaster of Paris, which is highly susceptible to being damaged while wet. Recent scientific developments have seen the rise of fiberglass casting.  While fiberglass casting is lighter and dries more quickly, once hardened, the fiberglass material is quite abrasive. To protect the skin from damage, an underliner like stockinette is required. The majority of underliners used today readily absorb moisture and care must be taken to avoid exposing the stockinette to even a small amount of water. When available, waterproof underliners are very expensive and still require strict compliance to remain effective. In fact, even after something as simple a shower, these casts have to be meticulously dried with a hair dryer, a process which can add five to 10 minutes to your daily routine. If that process is not adhered to carefully, the wearer runs the risk of rash or infection, and the cast could lose some of its utility. Visiting a doctor because your cast was ruined can be a time-consuming and expensive way to spend a day. Luckily, however, there is a simple solution to those everyday problems caused by a cast that shouldn’t get wet. Putting on a truly waterproof cast protecting sleeve can keep your device from getting damp, and can help ensure that your recovery is as straightforward and painless as possible. These covers do not have to be worn all of the time. Rather, you put them on during the activity wherein the cast might get wet, such as swimming or bathing, and then take them off afterwards and allow them to dry. Rather than worrying about whether your “waterproof cast” is really performing as advertised, you can spend that energy living your life as you see fit. For more information on how cast covers and improve your quality of life, please contact us today.