hi
so…i shattered my 5th and fractured my 4th metacarpal bones and am now in a cast that goes mid-forearm down with only the thumb, middle and index fingers out of the cast. it will be on for 4 weeks and i’m already getting antsy.
i figure running and trainer workouts, but i am a bit concerned about the moisture. the dr. said it was more an issue of not getting the cast wet (in shower etc.), but another mentioned it could also be an issue between the 2 fingers that will be taped together under the cast where the moisture could cause skin issues.
i believe the tern ‘skin slippage’ was used which he said would be a bigger problem than i already have.
basically i can manage the shower thing, but what about sweat?
any info from those in the know would be much appreciated.
I had a cast earlier in the summer (dislocated right thumb) over my hand and wrist. I was offered a “waterproof” cast vs. a normal cast which allowed me to run and bike (and even swim if I wanted to). I biked (interesting shifting and braking) and ran with the cast. The downside was the “waterproof” cast was like $30 more but well worth it since I could keep training without worrying about it. It did get it mighty wet with sweat and often it took a day or so for the liner in the cast to dry out.
happened to me too. I had the ‘waterproof’ cast. They use a goretex lining instead of the normal cotton wrap. I was able to swim, bike and run. The running was a bit of a challenge because after a while the blood will swell your hand in the cast, making it a little bit uncomfortable.
I got the cast taken out the day before my tri and i was able to do everything fine. The hand hurt a little bit when I was biking and hitting some bumps but other than that not a big deal.
i asked about the waterproof and the hospital i was at didn’t do it (i was there because they have a good hand fracture clinic).
i can handle no swimming and generally keeping the outside dry…just concerned with the interior moisture from running etc.
basically, will sweating cause problems with a regular cast?
idk - your first priority, of course, is to allow this injury to heal properly so that you have optimal function for the rest of your life. If you’ve been told that you’re stable in the cast and can run/stationery bike, I’d say go for it. One potential warning though, they can get pretty, how shall I say, aromatic. Think about not changing your underwear for a month. Some ST’ers would see that as the “other guy’s problem” but I’d just stay in well ventilated rooms. Your wife might suggest sleeping your in another room…or another building! at the 4 weeks end, however.
I put casts on kids all day. With the “waterproof” cast we are not able to stabilize the fracture as well as when using the cotton roll. It’s pretty hard to stabilize the 4 and 5th mets well as it is. I tell parents to use a hair dryer set on the coolest setting and blow it over and down the cast to help it dry if it accidentally gets wet. With all the sweat moisture you may be at a little more risk for a fungal infx; but I see all kinds of dirt, sand, shells, lego’s and what-not in casts. We allow the kids to be as active as they feel they can be in their casts, although they have the ability to remodel. If you can stand the “odor” then I say go for it.
I’ve had to deal with a few casts over many years racing motocross. I never did any swimming in a cast but lots of running and biking. As others have pointed out, it can get really bad when it gets wet inside. I’m sure someone will have good reasons not to do this, I never had fingers taped together inside, but I did have pins sticking out a few times and I used a hair drier and straw to get air inside after every run to help dry it out. Obviously set it on low and be careful, it would be bad to burn yourself inside the cast as it might be embarrassing to explain to your orthopod. If you don’t get it dry, it will be unbearable and you won’t be able to go out in public. You won’t be able to sleep in the same bed with anyone either if that matters to you. Its always tried to consider what the doctor says, up to a certain point, sorta…
thanks everyone! i’ve taken all the advise and got on the trainer today for a bit.
i rigged up a couple compact turbo fans…one straight at my head/torso and one straight at the end of my cast.
they kept the sweat down a decent amount and the hand end of the cast seems to have stayed fairly dry…top end got a little moist,
but i’m keeping a little fan on the arm while taking it easy. seems to have dried out fairly well.
i better stock up on some pity lovin’ before the stink really sets in
by the way…could some arm and hammer be used to draw out moisture? i figure it would work, but may accumulate?
thanks again
