title: Keeping plaster casts dry: what works?
abstract: Plaster casts are commonly used in the management of fractures. The mechanical properties of plasters are adversely affected by water. There are a number of commercial products available to allow patients to continue to shower and swim by protecting the plaster. The aim of this study was to compare these products with a plastic bag and elastic band. Each protector was tested in a shower, immersed in a swimming pool and worn while swimming. The volume of water intrusion was measured. There was no significant difference between a plastic bag and the commercially available products. We do not recommend the use of commercially available plaster protectors for showering or swimming: a plastic bag and elastic band is a cheaper and more convenient device.
authors.affiliation: Princess Royal Hospital, Haywards Heath, Sussex, UK. domnielsen@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Dominic M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Nielsen
authors.forename: Lionel G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Ripley
authors.forename: David M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Ricketts
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D002370:Casts, Surgical; D004867:Equipment Design; D004868:Equipment Failure; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D011482:Protective Devices; D014867:Water
chemical_list: D014867:Water