Best Treatment for a Sprained Ankle according to the BBC new is a plaster cast.

Best Treatment for a Sprained Ankle  

according to the BBC news is a plaster cast.

Read the full article here.

A study of 600 patients found that a 10-day below-knee cast is more effective than standard treatment with a tubular bandage.
The findings, published in The Lancet, are at odds with general medical opinion that the best thing for a sprained ankle is to keep it moving.
Up to 1.5m people a year in the UK go to A&E with a sprained ankle.
The injury accounts for 3-5% of all UK emergency department attendances and varies from minor stretching of the ligament to a complete tear.
It is commonly treated with ice, elevation, tubular compression bandage and advice to exercise.
But the researchers found that a tubular bandage was consistently the worst treatment.
In patients with severe ankle sprain attending eight emergency departments in the UK, a 10-day below-knee cast was associated with a speedier recovery in terms of ankle function, pain, symptoms and activity three months later.
The second best treatment was an Aircast brace which limits movement of the ankle.
The Bledsoe boot - another type of brace which is designed to restrict movement of the ankle but allow users to walk - was no more effective than a tubular bandage and neither can be recommended as a treatment for these injuries, the researchers said.
By nine months there was no difference between the groups. 

 

So what to do about a bad sprain, 

when the doctor won't cast it?

In the new world of self help and to avoid a high emergency room deductibles, most patients choose self treatment.  Let's face it, even with the new ObamaCare plan, we face high deductibles on doctors visits.  I remember a few years back, I hurt my ankle really bad.  It swelled so huge.  The ER doctor did an X-ray and found no break.  So they sent me away with nothing, but a huge $1300 emergency room bill.  That was with health insurance.  I wonder what they charged my insurance company.  

If you can buy an ace bandages and crutches from the local store.  Is there a place to buy cast supplies?  According to the research, you only need to keep the cast on 10 days.  They sell cast shears to help you remove the cast.

There are two types of cast materials.  Plaster (mostly used in the 70's and 80's) and Fiberglass casting tape (which is widely used today).  Both materials are easy to remove and will help you treat that badly sprained ankle.

Below is a link to plaster bandages and where you can purchase cast padding and stockinette.

You can find YouTube videos on how to apply a plaster short leg cast (Plaster SLC) or a fiberglass short leg cast.

Plaster Bandages supplies (it's best to buy extra):
The normal amounts for a short leg cast are as follows:
4 rolls of 3" plaster bandages
4 rolls of 4" cast padding
36 inches (3feet) of 3" synthetic stockinette.
2 pair of gloves

You can buy 1/2 a case of plaster here, it's best to have extra on hand.:
http://orthotape.com/plaster_bandages.asp
http://orthotape.com/Performance_synthetic_cast_paddin_roll.asp
http://orthotape.com/cast_stockinette_orthopedic_casting.asp

Remember to buy gloves:
http://orthotape.com/Latex_Casting_Gloves.asp

or if you choose to go the fiberglass cast option.  You can buy it in a kit below.
http://orthotape.com/cast_kits.asp

Don't forget the cast shears to remove the cast after 10 days.
http://orthotape.com/cast_removal_cutting_shears.asp

You may also need a good pair of scissors to cut the padding and stockinette.
http://orthotape.com/Fiskars_Razor_Edged_Scissors.asp


This is intended for educational purpose only.  Use at your own risk.  Always wear gloves when working with materials.

Waterproof Cast for Kids Summer vacation Saved Waterproof Cast Padding AquaCast

This year so many kids will miss out on swimming with their friends due to a broken leg or broken arm.  If only their parents knew they now have waterproof casts for kids (Adults too).   Delta Dry is a unique product that is a waterproof cast padding.

If you compare it with other brands, you will see it conforms better with the limb.  The problem with other brands such as AquaCast Waterproof cast padding.  AquaCast becomes bunchy under the casting tape.  This may seem ok at first, but have you ever had your socks bunch up in your shoes.   You get the idea, it's not very comfortable.  AquaCast also is a much thinner cast so you have to worry when the cast is to be removed you don't get burned by the cast saw.  No wonder Gore decided to do away with the product and discontinue making it.  There is so many better brands out on the market now.




If you are unlucky enough to have broken a leg or arm.  You can take this great waterproof cast padding to your doctor.  Because of inventory costs, most doctors offices DO NOT carry the product on site.  You will need to buy it and take it with you to the doctors office.  If you buy it online, you also have the option to add any color casting tape you want to your kit.  Sometimes doctors offices are limited in the color they have on stock.  Here is a link below that sells waterproof cast kits and you cast choose from 11 different colors of casting tape.

Repair a broken or dirty leg or arm cast! Or simply change the color!

If you are ever in an orthopedic cast.  You will want to know how to repair a broken cast.  A good many people end up with a cast either get it dirty or broken.  Or sometimes some idiot writes something stupid or obscene on your cast and you want to remove it.  Usually if you have to have an orthopedic cast on for 6-8 weeks.  It is bound to get dirty or broken and in need of cleaning or repair at some point.  Especially if you're a kid or someone who has to continue to work despite being in a cast.

Watch what they write on your cast!

Now hopefully your cast is just broken slightly or a little dirty.

Very dirty broken cast!!

The cast in that last photo is a little too dirty.  But it can be fix and cleaned up a bit.
I'm going to suggest how you go about repairing your own orthopedic cast.

(Don't tell your doctor or they will get mad and feel only an ego inflated person can repair a cast with 20 years of college)

Remember this is at your own risk.  Most of the time a doctor will want you to come back for an expensive cast change so they can charge you a ton of money to fix your broken leg or arm cast with a cast change.

First, clean the cast up a bit by using a sponge or rag to wipe away the dirt.
If you have a waterproof cast, then it's easy to just get in the shower to hose it off.

Now to fix your broken or cracked cast.
First you need to order 1 or 2 rolls of Fiberglass casting tape.  You can also change the color of the cast if you ever feel like it using this method too.

Second. Once you order your roll or two of casting tape (always better to buy extra in case you make a mistake)  ALSO MAKE SURE YOU USE GLOVES!!  I don't want to hear anyone say, I have resin all over my fingers how do I get it off!
If you do get your hands dirty from Fiberglass tape, You can use Acetone, nail polish remover to get it off.  You may have to soak you fingers.
Third, Take the roll out of the pack, and dip it in room temp water.  Make sure you have gloves one.  Now start to roll around the dirty cast or broken cast area.  You need to go over it about 2 layers to get it think enough to be repaired.

Hey you did it! now let it dry and it should be a solid repaired cast in a few minutes.

Order the casting tape by the roll and your latex gloves here:
http://orthotape.com/fiberglass_casting_tape.asp

BrokenLeg Tibia Fibular Fracture Story of a Broken Leg or Arm

Ouch! Yes it's a brokenleg or broken arm.  If you have ever broken your leg or arm you know how difficult it can be to get around.  Most of the time you are stuck sitting on the couch surfing the net until your broken leg heals and the leg cast is removed.

Through your search you find many different thing regarding a broken leg.  What color cast you might get?  How you might decorate your leg cast?  Ways to take care of your cast?  Even little accessories for your crutches and ways to keep your cast clean and water free.  But often what is missing is to be able to communicate with another person who is going through the same thing you are going through.  Sitting on the couch with you brokenleg elevated on a pillow encased in fiberglass from your toes to your thigh.

What if you could tell your story of what happened?  How it happened? and also what you're feeling while stuck in this temporary body jail cell.  Often  you wish you could simply record your story so you wouldn't have to play it for everyone who asked you what happened?  Seem everywhere you go, all you get is a stare and a WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU??  Kind of seem like the same question over and over again you almost get sick of telling it.  Maybe even at times your tempted to embellish the story a bit of how you were skiing in Colorado or mountain biking in France.  But more than likely it's not as glamorous as that and  you just want to find someone who may have a similar story as you.  Perhaps they are looking for your broken leg story right now.
We'll I found it!  The perfect place to tell your story and hear from others who are broken and stuck in a cast just like you:

Broken Bone Diaries

The Broken Bone Diaries were created for the user to be able to tell their story and pour their heart out of the frustration they are facing.  Go ahead get it a try.  It's sure to pass the time and help you get better!

http://brokenbonediaries.com/

Itching Cast. Stopping the Itchy Cast

OMG my itching cast is driving me crazy!
Is there any way to get relief for this itchy cast?




At this very moment you'll put anything down there to get some relief from that itching cast.

There are many different options for relieving an itchy cast.

(1) You could try putting a wooden spoon down the cast and getting to that itch.  A ruler can often work for itching your cast as well. Helping you to reach the area that is inflicting its death grip on your skin.

One of the reasons you are having itching cast symptoms is due to bacteria on the skin. You have not been able to clean that part of your leg or arm for some time. The itch monster is now unleashing his buddies causing you to have an itchy cast.

(2) Sani-Cast is an option that can help to keep your cast clean and fresh while in a leg or arm cast. The folks at Sani-Cast came up with the idea to use a moist disc or pad on the end of a stick.  Sani-Cast allows you to clean the inside of your orthopedic cast. The pad is pre-moistened with a cleaning formula which quickly evaporates leaving your skin/cast liner smelling fresh and clean.

Having a clean cast is not only sanitary, but it helps keep the itchy cast under control. So if you're looking to stop an itchy cast, look no further. Try Sani-Cast today:


Order at http://orthotape.com