Is the holiday ruined? Broken elbow and cast.

We are in a very similar boat (cast would need to come off a few days into our hol), told the doctor and we have an appointment a week before we go away to replace the current cast with a temporary one we will be able to remove ourselves on holiday. Ask your doctor if they can do the same/similar.

Can really recommend bloccs waterproof covers....DD had a week in Spain with a hard cast and was able to swim with one of those over it

I don't have any answers for that I'm afraid OP, as no experience with things being pinned but you could maybe still use the over arm waterproof cover you've probably got from when he had the cast on if necessary?

Tbh it might be better if it's still in a cast as it would be sore and difficult to do things for a while after it's removed, I doubt it will be off before you fly but maybe if he has very quick and textbook healing.
I would definitely mention when getting cadt on that you intend flying then in case there's any accommodations with the cast or fit to fly letter needed etc, and also notify insurance in case he falls again while on holidays or there's some other complication

By 18th July things will be much more settled, even if they aren’t fully resolved you will have found a way around things.

LimbO are v reputable, and can make a cover to fit his dimensions

You will need to go back before your holiday to get the cast split for flying due to possible swelling and a letter to say he’s fit to fly. Make sure you tell your insurance company.

You may need a medical note to board if you’re flying with a cast; hopefully it will be open one side as swelling can cause problems.

i forgot to add they split the cast for my dd as standard to allow for swelling but you can ask for it if you are planning to fly

Unfortunately it’s incredibly unlikely he’ll be out the cast by the 18th. They always say 4 weeks for breaks, but it hardly ever is, unless it’s a very simple break. My daughter had a similar elbow break last Christmas – they said 4 weeks and it ended up as 7 weeks without even any complications. I also did this when I was a child – they said 4 weeks, but it was 6.

My little two year old broke her leg a few months ago. We used a cast cover and it was great- she had baths and even swam a couple of times with it. The only limitation was you are only supposed to use for 30 mins at a time for circulation purposes.
I would probably avoid sand with the cast though; we managed to cover my daughters with a sock of her dads on the beach but I imagine covering it would be very hot and sweaty in July.
If he gets given a resin based cast for the second one these seem much hardier than the plaster of Paris ones- this one disintegrated for my toddler.
We also flew about at about 4 weeks after having the cast on and she was fine.

Cast covers are great! Def fine for paddling and showering. Def check about flying in terms of tightness.
DS broke his arm one summer but thankfully was able to get the cast off before holiday. They do get very smelly though in the heat.

I have sent you a pm as my situation is very outing
but was ultimately fine

When we travelled with a broken arm we had to have the cast cut to allow for expansion on the plane, whilst there he had to have the cast removed because it started to be damp and smell due to the heat and near the pool

https://limboproducts.co.uk/
Link to cast covers. Really good product.

DS had a hard cast wrist to shoulder for pretty much the entire summer holidays when he was 6. Used a plastic cover at the beach/pool. Had a great time - mankiest cast ever by the time it came off. Ask them to put on a black or navy one - shows the dirt less!

Tell the insurers and have a great holiday.

PS - the good thing about pins, plates and a hard cast is that nothing can displace. When it comes off - pay for some private physio - it will pay dividends.

Talk to his doctors, it may be possible to remove the hard cast just before the holiday and put on a removable one.

If he does get this get a spare. You can get them wet but it will be more comfortable for him if he can swap out of it after swimming.

He will still be in his cast but you can make it work.

My DD broke her elbow while we were away on holiday aged 7, and couldn't swim as we were not able to get a waterproof cover. If we'd been here we would have tried to get one.

He can still have a great time. Hope it all goes well.

Are you flying? I've never broken a bone so never had a cast, but I believe there may be some restrictions about casts and flying, due to changes in pressure and swelling. Best to check.

I am very happy to be proved wrong!

I bought something called a Limbo.

He can swim. Get him a cast cover, you can buy them on Amazon. I’ve seen lots of kids abroad with them on. X

Get a blocks cast cover. My 9yr old broke his arm at Easter and the cover was great. Fine for showering and swimming.

The hospital won't want him to have it on for long periods at a time though so 20mins in pool, time out and cover off, back in again after.

You can get cast covers for swimming pools and showers etc. It obviously won’t be quite as good but he’ll still be able to cool off etc.