What A Difference A Cast Can Make

First of all, thank you all so much for your comments here on the blog as well as the numerous emails about cast removal. Knowing that all of you are as frustrated as I and looking for other options for us is so wonderful. Thank you again.

I know I answered most of you through email, but wanted to answer here as well. Dr. Dobbs casts older kids with a combination of plaster and fiberglass. He does plaster from the knee down, then when that is dry to the touch, they cover it from the toes to the top of the thigh with fiberglass. And then, they are so nice as to add a stripe for Matthew. Here is a picture of the latest cast.


When Matthew was little, the fiberglass could be peeled off. These casts can not. And the plaster and fiberglass adhere to each other, so they can not be removed separately. They are generally so tight around the foot, the only way to remove it is to cut it with a saw.

We got lucky today. The doctor was more experienced. She admitted she had never removed a cast quite like this one, but she wasn't afraid of a challenge. She made the cuts down the sides properly, but still ended up removing it in 4 pieces. MUCH MUCH better then the last guy. So, I have her name and she said she would do it again for us in June... if needed. Yay!

And the best news.

Before a Dobbs cast.

After one week in a Dobbs cast.

We are all thrilled beyond words, even the boys.

Never underestimate the power of casting. What a difference a week can make!