Purpose
The purpose of the study was to compare the efficacy of 6 different commercially available
waterproof cast protectors in their ability to maintain a dry environment and evaluate
whether cast protectors perform better than a plastic bag secured with tape in keeping
casts dry.
Methods
We enrolled 23 adult participants to test 6 different commercially available cast
protectors and a plastic bag. Participants trialed all cast protectors twice, with
and without motion, by fully submerging each cast protector in water with a paper
towel held between their index and middle fingers. Moisture accumulation within the
cast protectors was estimated by the change in weight of paper towel. An analysis
of variance test was performed to compare differences between cast protectors in their
ability to maintain a dry internal environment.
Results
The plastic bag showed an average moisture accumulation of 5.50 g without motion compared
with all other cast protectors, which had 0.0 g of moisture accumulation. One cast
protector and the plastic bag had an average moisture accumulation of 0.46 g and 4.51
g with motion compared to all other cast protectors. The plastic bag was ranked the
worst by 100% of participants.
Conclusion
Cast protectors appear to offer superior protection from moisture compared with a
plastic bag.
Type of study/level of evidence
Therapeutic IV.
Key words
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: June 24, 2022
Accepted:
May 13,
2022
Received:
October 25,
2021
Publication stage
In Press Corrected ProofFootnotes
No benefits in any form have been received or will be received related directly or indirectly to the subject of this article.
Identification
Copyright
© 2022 by the American Society for Surgery of the Hand. All rights reserved.
