Waterproof versus cotton cast liners: a randomized, prospective comparison.
Casting injured extremities can cause complications (eg, itching, odor, rashes, skin maceration), many of which are associated with the inability to wash the extremity because of water retention and slow drying of conventional cast liners. A waterproof cast liner allows casts to become wet and perhaps improves hygiene and comfort. Fifty-nine patients (age, > or = 10 years) with upper or lower extremity injuries were randomized to a waterproof-liner group (n = 29) or a cotton-liner group (n = 30). Both groups had casts made of fiberglass tape. At each clinic visit, patients and physicians completed questionnaires evaluating comfort and skin condition, respectively. The waterproof-liner group had better scores for itch (P = .008), discomfort (P < .001), irritation (P = .002), overall patient score (P = .012), and overall physician score (P = .049).
Haley
Chad A
CA
Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, Womack Army Medical Center, 2817 Reilly Road, Fort Bragg, NC 28310, USA. chad.haley@amedd.army.mil
DeJong
E Schuyler
ES
Ward
John A
JA
Kragh
John F
JF
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002370:Casts, Surgical; D002648:Child; D032561:Cotton Fiber; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005898:Glass; D006230:Hand Injuries / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007869:Leg Injuries / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
C009753:fiberglass