Standard vs. fiberglass casts: which is better?

So, I broke my leg.

I’m heading in this Friday to get my cast sorted, and the folks over at the Chicago Trauma Center mentioned I could opt for one of those plastic waterproof ones instead of the standard plaster. (Of course, my insurance won't cover the extra cost for that 😍).

Is that really the only catch? Has anyone here actually dealt with different types of casts before? 😁

There’s also a price gap of about $67.

Honestly, those metal rods are the way to go—they actually hold everything steady so the bone can heal right.
Plastic casts get a ton of hype during the summer just because you can actually get in the water,
but if it stabilizes the injury properly, I don't see much difference other than being able to swim or maybe scratch an itch 😉

They told me $117 😁 I'm going with the plastic

They gave me a plastic one too. My health insurance covered it—I was actually unemployed at the time, about five months ago—so I don't really get why you guys are having such a hard time getting yours.

My grandmother spent about a month adjusting to her initial dental work, but then she completely changed her mind and opted for a plastic set instead. She insists they feel much more comfortable and lightweight, $133

Swapped it out for plastic today. A bright red one, at that. 😍 😁
It’s lighter, smaller, actually fits in my tennis bag 😁 and won't freak out if it gets wet 🙂
$93

What kind of experiences have you guys had with swimming in the ocean? Like, does it leave you feeling itchy or does it have that weird smell afterward?

Olivia Lopez41 said:They gave me a plastic one too. My health insurance covered it—I was actually unemployed at the time, about five months ago—so I don't really get why you guys are having such a hard time getting yours.

In my opinion, if you're unemployed, you're exempt from co-pays. Meanwhile, those of us with jobs have to opt for supplemental insurance to access the same perks (it only costs $27 a month, which is honestly a steal 👍).
I really love our social safety net here 🙏 👍
.

Dennis Lewis50 said:What kind of experiences have you guys had with swimming in the ocean? Like, does it leave you feeling itchy or does it have that weird smell afterward?

My son had a traditional cast last year. He didn't go swimming, but let me tell you—those plaster casts start smelling pretty terrible after a little while. And you can imagine how much fun it is trying to keep an arm clean when you can't actually wash it properly.🙄
With the plastic version, you can actually wash it. They put a thin layer of gauze underneath so it dries quickly. You just wipe it down and maybe hit it with a hair dryer for a bit.
It’s definitely lighter and way more comfortable.

I’m just wondering how the whole plastic cast thing works. A friend of mine has been stuck in this long sleeve brace for a week now, and she's supposed to get her actual cast tomorrow. Should we go ahead and buy some synthetic casting material ourselves and just bring it over to the Mayo Clinic, or do they already have everything they need on hand there?

Plastic is honestly the way to go, I mean, sure, you have to shell out the cash upfront, but it is just so much easier to handle and way more forgiving when it comes to upkeep—definitely worth every penny of those hundred bucks you drop

My son’s using a plastic one, but he claims it feels just as uncomfortable and clunky as a standard stretcher. :zbunj: I'm honestly at a loss here.

Anyone know where I can pick this up?

Quick update from the Washington, D.C. Trauma Center... they won't even let you use a plastic cast here, even if you bring your own. Apparently, the hospital banned them entirely. Some guy just gave me a number for a private clinic instead.

They told me the same thing—that they won't touch it because they messed up the casts on both my arms. Now I have to see a private specialist just to get something functional. Not to mention, they completely missed the wrist fracture during my first visit, so I ended up having to go back two days in a row.

Edward Brooks81 said:My son had a traditional cast last year. He didn't go swimming, but let me tell you—those plaster casts start smelling pretty terrible after a little while. And you can imagine how much fun it is trying to keep an arm clean when you can't actually wash it properly.🙄
With the plastic version, you can actually wash it. They put a thin layer of gauze underneath so it dries quickly. You just wipe it down and maybe hit it with a hair dryer for a bit.
It’s definitely lighter and way more comfortable.

Wait, what does that mean exactly?

And does the regular plaster cast also have gauze or a bunch of cotton padding between the skin and the cast?

cosmiccanyon51 said:Quick update from the Washington, D.C. Trauma Center... they won't even let you use a plastic cast here, even if you bring your own. Apparently, the hospital banned them entirely. Some guy just gave me a number for a private clinic instead.

Hey everyone, I was wondering how things turned out with your fiberglass cast situation? Which private doctor did you end up seeing? I have a follow-up at the Chicago Trauma Center tomorrow, so I'm just trying to be prepared.

Hey everyone,
I'm looking for some intel on fiberglass casts and whether they'll actually put one on me at the Chicago Trauma Center.
Are they still refusing to use fiberglass?
Is there a specific reason for that?

What is the current situation at the Mackinac Island Trauma Center? Are they using fiberglass casts? I have my first follow-up next week and haven't been told anything, but since I have a lateral malleolus fracture, I assume I'll need one.
If there is an option for fiberglass, I would much prefer that.

Also, how does one select the correct size?

ruggedridge2 said:Hey everyone,
I'm looking for some intel on fiberglass casts and whether they'll actually put one on me at the Chicago Trauma Center.
Are they still refusing to use fiberglass?
Is there a specific reason for that?

Hi—I noticed you haven't gotten an answer yet, though I wonder if you managed to track down the info yourself in the meantime?