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"lining for plaster cast"

About: Royal Gwent Hospital / Trauma & orthopaedics

(as the patient),

There is a water resistant lining available, (which is in use in many hospitals including Morriston) which is much more comfortable and hygienic, allowing full immersion in water without needing a waterproof protector.

This enables gentle water based exercise and makes washing and life in general much easier. Including no nasty smelling cast.

It also reduces the need for replacement of water damaged casts ( a proven fact after researching the internet)

As, at RGH, the fibreglass casing is already being used, why is the water resistant lining not also being used.

I have had experience of the water resistant lining in Australia, and also the fibreglass and non-waterproof lining in UK. The difference in both mental and physical well being is enormous.

Could the dept consider using the water resistant lining more often, especially on request. I am a member of a local gym and would love to do gentle water based exercises to keep my joints supple whilst having my arm in a cast. I did request the lining, but was told it was not available. Yes, I have bought the limbo as suggested, but it is really a poor substitute for the said lining.

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As stated I broke my arm in Australia in oct this year, and fell again at home in Dec, reopening the break. Yes it was close to the holiday period, but I was not happy to hear (after calling orthopaedics at the end of Dec, that I would have to remain in the temporary cast put on by A&E, to allow for swelling to reduce, until my appointment in Jan. A total of 16 days with little support for my wrist. A friend was told that hers being on for 5 days was too long.

As I was getting pain in my arm, I returned to A&E on 29th dec, and was directed to the outpatients orthopaedic, where I had a fibreglass cast put on.

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Responses

Response from Aneurin Bevan Health Board 9 years ago
Submitted on 07/01/2015 at 11:51
Published on Care Opinion at 16:02


Hi,

Thanks for taking the time to post. We've recieved the following back from our Orthopaedics Department.

There is no doubt that waterproof liner enhances the patient experience in some circumstances. Waterproof liners are obviously more expensive and we do not routinely offer waterproof casts except for very young children or vulnerable adults who may have specific problems in keeping their casts dry. In our experience, the number of patients returning with water damaged casts is minimal. It would be possible to create a waterproof cast with what we have available on the shelf on request.

We would be happy to arrange this if you can contact us through our enquiries email address abhb.enquiries@wales.nhs.uk

We hope this is helpful.

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