Is the holiday ruined? Broken elbow and cast.

[shimmerandshine123]

DS broke his elbow last weekend, he has an operation to have pins put in and a cast on Monday, he’s got to go back to have a hard cast fitted next Wednesday. I’ve been told he will be in a cast for 4 weeks but is that from the initial cast or from the new one next Wednesday? We are supposed to be going on holiday on 18th July and I’m wondering the likelihood of him being out of his cast by then?

Should have said he had the operation Monday just gone x

I would have thought it would be from when he has the hard cast next week. If you're going abroad, make sure you advise your travel insurance company of the injury, in case of any issues whilst away.

Speak to the dr and ask for an extra assessment just before going away

A lot will obviously depend on how it heals. Phone the insurance company now to let them know then talk to the hospital when your there next week about best way forward. Any chance of pushing the dates a few weeks?

hope he recovers well and isn’t in too much pain.

I broke my elbow into bits when I was 19 and it was pinned and wired. Getting it back in action was a long haul! I am sorry your son has done this. I was in a cast for quite a long time - I suspect it will date from the new cast. But I was out and about and at uni and it did not cramp my style - he should be fine to go on holiday, but might not be able to swim.

Just to say the physio afterwards is really important to getting normal function back.

He can still enjoy his holiday in a cast I'd hope. You can get plastic thing to put over it for going in water. Tbh immediately after the cast comes off it sometimes hurts for about a week as it's weak and not used to weight bearing. So it might be better that it's still on in some ways. And it'll be protected from any knocks etc.

Thanks all. We can’t change the dates as it’s the only time DH can get off work. I’m sure we would make it work if he still had the cast I would just feel terrible that he couldn’t swim! He’s been a real trooper with it all so far bless him

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.

@Raccoonsmacaroonsyes I was hoping we may be able to use one of those if it is only for paddling rather than swimming. We’ve had such a difficult year and really need to get away so I’m hoping we can!

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.

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

I bought something called a Limbo.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.