United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Hi everyone. Sophie has a spica cast and it is scheduled to come off Jan 6th. That same day, she will have an evaluation from the BPI team in Cincinnati, then get the splint. I've heard people say that they take the splint off in the bath, but I'm not sure what that means. Can it get wet? Or do you mean you take it off, then carefully move her to a warm bath with the arm still raised, then after she's warm, do ROM's? Also, I'm curious what the skin will be like -- I remember when I broke my arm when I was little - it was pretty scaley underneath. Do you recommend oil for the bath or will that be bad for the incision? (It will have been 6 weeks post-surgery by then).

Thanks!
Tina

Hi Tina ..... maia has always had removable splints not casts - so I'm sure what to tell you to do with the spica cast.... folks who go to Doc Waters - he does the spica casts... do you know Mary & Sarah - maybe even Rich Looby... maybe try posting "Parents Who Go To Dr. Waters - need cast help?" so they'll get the heads up?

When we take off the splint, we hold the arm in position and then get into a warm pool or a warm bath - to ease the transition of having the arm come down.... there will be skin everywhere - we get it too... but one good washing and it's all off. Use some nice smelling soap or bath gel to get rid of the "stench" too !! LOL LOL

good luck with this... Happy Holidays!!
-francine

My 3mth old son has clubbed feet & wears casts. I have to remove these every 2 weeks for new ones to be applied. We soak his casts in warm water & vinegar. It softens the casts & I am able to peel them off. However the amount of vinegar to water is tricky, just play with it & see. We use a baby bath tub & use 1c. of vinear. More would be needed in a regular bath tub. And the skin will be peeling, dry, icky. I use lotion on his after the bath, I use either Lubriderm or Aquaphor lotion.