Going to the Beach While Wearing a Cast or Walking Boot

Summer vacations, beach trips, pool days, and family gatherings don’t stop just because you’re recovering from a broken bone or orthopedic injury. But if you’re wearing a cast or walking boot, you’ve probably already wondered how you’re supposed to deal with sand, water, sweat, heat, and all the everyday frustrations that come with recovery at the beach.

Many orthopedic patients ask:

• Can I go to the beach with a cast?
• How do I keep sand out of my cast?
• Can I swim with a walking boot?
• What happens if my cast gets wet?
• How do I keep my boot clean at the beach?

The good news is that with a little preparation and the right recovery products, many people are still able to comfortably enjoy beach vacations and outdoor summer activities during orthopedic healing.

After helping orthopedic patients for over 17 years, CastCoverz! has learned that small comfort solutions can make a surprisingly big difference during recovery. Proudly MADE IN THE USA ??, CastCoverz! was invented by a mom navigating real-life orthopedic recovery challenges and creating practical products designed for everyday healing.

Quick Answer

Yes! Many people can still enjoy the beach while recovering in a cast or walking boot. The key is protecting your orthopedic device from sand, moisture, heat, and debris while avoiding unsafe walking conditions and water exposure.

Helpful recovery solutions may include:

• waterproof cast covers
• sandproof leg cast covers
• sandproof boot covers
• sandproof arm cast covers
• lightweight cast covers
• cooling and itch relief products
• supportive walking aids

Why Sand and Water Are So Frustrating With Casts and Bootz

Casts and orthopedic devices are difficult to clean once debris gets trapped inside.

At the beach, your cast or boot may come into contact with:

• sand
• saltwater
• sunscreen
• sweat
• dirt
• grass
• heat
• humidity
• towels and blankets

Once sand gets inside, it can become:

• itchy
• uncomfortable
• irritating to the skin
• difficult to remove safely

Moisture trapped inside a cast can also lead to:

• odor
• bacteria buildup
• skin irritation
• discomfort
• damage to cast materials

That’s why prevention is one of the best ways to protect your cast while enjoying outdoor activities.

What to Bring to the Beach With a Cast or Walking Boot

• extra towels
• waterproof cast cover
• walking boot cover
• sunscreen
• bottled water
• cooling towels
• plastic bags for wet items
• folding chair
• elevation pillow for afterward
• backup recovery supplies

Beach Recovery Mistakes to Avoid

• Never swim with a walking boot
• Never cover the sole tread of your boot
• Do not stick objects inside your cast
• Avoid long walks on soft sand
• Don’t ignore swelling or worsening pain
• Don’t leave wet casts untreated

Enjoy the Beach... AND Focus on Healing

Recovering from a broken bone or orthopedic injury doesn’t mean you have to miss out on summer memories, beach vacations, family trips, or outdoor fun. With a little preparation and the right recovery solutions, many orthopedic patients can still enjoy the beach more comfortably while protecting their cast, walking boot, sling, or brace from sand, moisture, heat, and everyday frustration.

At CastCoverz!, we’ve spent more than 17 years helping orthopedic patients feel more comfortable during recovery with practical, real-life solutions designed by people who truly understand the healing process. Proudly MADE IN THE-USA ??, our products were invented by a mom looking for better recovery comfort for her own family, and today we continue helping patients recover with more confidence, comfort, and style.

Whether you need:

• waterproof protection
• comfort recovery solutions
• walking boot covers
• arm cast covers
• leg cast covers
• cooling relief
• weather protection
• sleep protection 
• or simply helpful recovery advice

we’re here to help make orthopedic recovery a little easier.

Explore More Recovery Resources

• Waterproof Recovery Solutions
• Comfort Recovery Tips
• Arm, Hand & Wrist Recovery
• Leg, Knee & Ankle Recovery
• Crutch & Mobility Recovery 

Your recovery journey may be temporary, but comfort can make a big difference along the way. 

Customer submitted photo wearing his Mittz! Cozy in Tye Dye Night

Keeping a cast, brace, splint or walking boot clean and dry isn’t just about convenience. It’s a critical part of preventing complications. Wet or dirty casts can lead to skin irritation, unpleasant odors, and even infections. A compromised cast might not provide the necessary support, potentially delaying recovery. Fortunately, CastCoverz! offers a range of innovative solutions to help parents and children navigate this challenge with ease.

Products to Protect Your Cast or Walking Boot

CastCoverz! has developed weather-resistant products that offer reliable protection against rain, snow, and biting wind. These products are designed to fit seamlessly into you or your child’s active lifestyle, providing both comfort and functionality.

Customer submitted photo wearing Mittz! Dry in black while skiing with a cast 

• For Arms and Hands: The Mittz! Cozy and Mittz! Dry are specially crafted for arm casts. The Mittz! Dry provides weather-resistant protection to keep casts shielded from rain and snow, while the Mittz! Cozy adds an extra layer of warmth for chilly days. When paired together, they provide superior protection against wet and cold conditions, ensuring comfort and dryness. These are designed for convenience but are not intended for immersion in water.
• For Legs: The Slickerz! is the go-to option for protecting leg casts. It provides weather-resistant coverage and keeps toes warm and dry, making it a reliable solution for rainy or snowy outings.
• For Walking Boots: The BootGuardzXtreme! is specially designed for orthopedic walking boots. Made with durable, weather-resistant material, it protects the boot liner and toes from wind, rain, and snow. This product is proudly made in the USA and ensures that your walking boot remains clean and dry during all kinds of weather.
• For Sleeping: Stay warm and cozy and protect your sheets, your loved ones, and your skin from a scratchy and uncomfortable cast or boot. Sleep covers are available for arms, legs and boots.

Tips for Effective Cast Care

In addition to using CastCoverz! products, here are some practical tips to keep your or your child’s cast or walking boot in great shape:

1. Avoid Immersion: Even with weather-resistant covers, casts should never be fully submerged in water.
2. Clean Gently: Wipe off dirt and moisture from the cover after outdoor activities to maintain its effectiveness.
3. Prepare for the Weather: Check the forecast and plan to use appropriate protective gear to match the conditions.
4. Keep Spare Covers: Having a backup cover ensures you’re always prepared for unexpected messes or weather changes.

Healing in Comfort and Style

Protecting a cast or walking boot doesn’t have to be a hassle. With CastCoverz! products, you can shield you or your child’s orthopedic device from the elements while ensuring comfort and even a bit of fun. Designed with weather-resistant materials and thoughtful functionality, these covers help support the healing process and lets you get back to normal!

Remember, a clean, dry cast means fewer complications and better healing. So, gear up with CastCoverz! and step into recovery with confidence!

Baby, it's COLD outside! Winter-proof your cast, brace, or orthopedic walking boot with CastCoverz!

Sleeperz! cast covers, for arms and legs, are made of oh-so-soft fleece to keep your arms, legs, and toes cozy and warm! Not only do these covers help you stay warm and snuggly, they also eliminate the scratches received from casts rubbing against other body parts, sheets, furniture, and your loved ones too! Yes, Sleeperz! cast covers help provide a restful night's sleep, which has been proven to aid healing, but they are not just for sleeping! Sleeperz! are the perfect accessory for any time of the day, especially during this COLD winter season. Choose from 11 fun designs!

How about keeping your toes warm if you have to wear your walking boot to
bed? Sleeping Bagz!, in comfy-cozy fleece or simple solids, not only keep your toes warm, they also protect your sheets, and keep the cooties on the bottom of your boot, in the bag!

 Mittz! Cozy and Mittz! Dry are specially crafted for arm casts. The Mittz! Dry provides weather-resistant protection to keep casts shielded from rain and snow, while the Mittz! Cozy adds an extra layer of warmth for chilly days. When paired together, they provide superior protection against wet and cold conditions, ensuring comfort and dryness. These are designed for convenience but are not intended for immersion in water.

Slickerz! is the go-to option for protecting leg casts. It provides weather-resistant coverage and keeps toes warm and dry, making it a reliable solution for rainy or snowy outings.

BootGuardzXtreme! is specially designed for orthopedic walking boots. Made with durable, weather-resistant material, it protects the boot liner and toes from wind, rain, and snow. Ensures that your walking boot remains clean and dry during all kinds of weather.

We know your pain, inconvenience, and frustration while wearing a cast, brace, or walking boot! Keep warm with CastCoverz! products this holiday and winter season. We're here to provide comfort and help you feel better, so you heal better! All CastCoverz! products are proudly made in the USA.

Getting used to life in a cast can feel overwhelming at first, but with the right mindset and a few handy tips, the healing process can be more comfortable and even a little fun. Whether it’s your arm, leg, or foot in a cast or a boot, these suggestions will help you adjust to this temporary change and focus on recovery.

Practical Tips for Life in a Cast

1. Elevate for Comfort: If your cast is on your leg or foot, elevating it as much as possible can reduce swelling and improve circulation. Use a pillow or specialized elevation device to prop it up comfortably.
2. Stay Active: It’s important to move the rest of your body while your cast does its job. Gentle exercises that don’t involve the injured area can help maintain your overall health and prevent stiffness.
3. Avoid the Itch: Resist the temptation to stick objects into your cast to scratch an itch. Instead, try gently tapping the outside of the cast or using a cool blow dryer to provide relief.
4. Keep It Dry and Clean: Protect your cast from water during showers or outdoor activities. Wet casts can lead to skin irritation and even compromise the cast itself.
5. Don’t Decorate the Inside: While decorating the outside of your cast can be a fun way to personalize it, avoid putting anything inside the cast, as this could cause irritation or infection.
6. Decorate It!: Use markers, stickers, or CastCoverz! products to make your cast unique and fun. Express yourself while adding a protective layer.

How CastCoverz! Can Help

CastCoverz! offers a range of products designed to make life in a cast more comfortable and stylish:

• Covers: Protect your cast or boot with soft, durable covers that stop snags, protect skin, and add flair to your look. Covers are available for arms, legs and boots.
• Weather Protection: Covers that help keep your cast safe from rain, snow, and other elements. See all weather protection here.
• Comfort Accessories: Items like CastCooler can provide relief from heat and itchiness, making your cast more bearable.
• For Sleeping: Stay warm and cozy and protect your sheets, your loved ones, and your skin from a scratchy and uncomfortable cast or boot. Sleep covers are available for arms, legs and boots.
• Customizable Options: Choose from a variety of patterns, colors, and styles to show off your personality.

Healing in Style

Adjusting to life in a cast doesn’t have to be a struggle. With a little creativity, proper care, and the right tools, you can turn this temporary inconvenience into an opportunity for self-expression and comfort. Let CastCoverz! be your partner in happy healing, and embrace your recovery journey with confidence and style!

The Emerging Leaders Initiative advanced training series is open to established small business owners that:

• Have annual revenues of at least $400,000
• Have been in business for at least 3 years
• Have at least one employee, other than self

Giacomazzi said, "I am honored to be selected and to be part of the Small Business Administration's efforts to support small business owners.  I look forward to diving in and getting CastCoverz! to the next level.  I am confident that The Emerging Leaders program along with advice, fellowship and feedback from my fellow CEO's will do just that."

Jim Bryant, Area Director, said, "We are excited that Annette has chosen to join us.  Her e-commerce and manufacturing experience will be a great asset to the program."   

Giacomazzi will be attending the intensive bi-weekly program, April - October 2016. All participants are expected to participate in a multitude of exercises, reading assignments, workshop activities, and more. The anticipated outcome is a 3 year strategic growth plan for each business. 

Animoto makes it incredibly easy to create professional-looking videos on your computer or mobile device.  They make creating videos that tell your story cost-effective, fun, and effortless and have been recognized as a favorite of industry leaders, such as Techcrunch, USA Today, LA Times, and the NY Times.  All the while, receiving many awards, including Best Design of the Year - Crunchies Award 2009, Webby Awards 2009, and NBC's Technow award.

This week, Animoto spotlighted CastCoverz! in their Spotlight on Business: CastCoverz! Shows Customer Appreciation through Video saying, "There’s no better endorsement than that of the smiling faces of your customers – especially when your customers are smiling despite broken bones and injuries. CastCoverz! founder and owner, Annette Giacomazzi, has made a business out of bringing cheer to the healing process by offering fun, functional products that comfort orthopedic patients. A video created with Animoto, featuring some of CastCoverz! happy customers, was just too good for us not to share."

Animoto believes making videos should not be limited to only those with video knowledge and expensive equipment.  If you're looking for a quick, easy, professional quality video to share your story, check out Animoto!

CastCoverz! and The VGM Group, Inc., both industry leaders in orthopedic products and medical retail, respectively, join forces to provide VGM's 3600 members access to CastCoverz!'s high-quality products, including cast, brace, walking boot, and crutch covers to designer arm slings, walker/wheelchair bags, and so much more!

“The medical industry is changing fast, and even with their vast offering, VGM continues to offer innovative products and services to their members,” said Annette d. Giacomazzi, CEO of MediFAB3, LLC, owner of the CastCoverz! brand.

For more info on this exciting news, click here:  CastCoverz! and The VGM Group, Inc. Sign Partnership Agreement

Tom later created Goodbye Crutches, a veteran owned company that strives to provide the equipment you need to maintain your independence after injury or surgery.  "You still have a life to live, and we want to help you live it."  

CastCoverz!, your single source solution for orthopedic cover and comfort products, proudly partnered with Goodbye Crutches in 2012, first by sharing guest blog posts, then expanding to exhibiting at trade-shows together, and carrying each other's products on our respective websites.  

We're thankful to Tom and all the service men and women who have given so generously to our country.  Help us celebrate National Veterans Small Business Week by thanking a veteran who owns a small business and purchasing from them.  You will make their day!

Soon, you'll be finding CastCoverz! in your local medical supply retail stores!

Here are Annette and Kristine, of CastCoverz!, in their booth at the Medtrade-Connecting the HME Industry tradeshow in Atlanta, GA. 

MedTrade is the country's oldest and largest trade show for medical retailers specializing in home/personal use of medical products. Medical retailers are often called Medical Supply Stores or Home Medical Equipment or Durable Medical Equipment stores, HME/DME respectively. They can be stand alone stores or often found in large hospitals or clinics.

In addition to providing fun and functional crutches, CastCoverz!'s CrutchWear line includes fashionable and comfortable crutch covers, or what you may call crutch pads, in addition to a hands-free crutch bag, which is the perfect accessory for all of your essentials; such as, your cell phone, keys, water bottle, etc... 

With CrutchWear, your crutches can not only be comfortable, but convenient and fashionable, too!

Take a peek into some of Giacomazzi's philosophies, the heart of CastCoverz!, and her #1 tip for fellow women entrepreneurs, in the article: SheBrand Superstar:  Annette Giacomazzi  

CastCoverz! is your single source solution for orthopedic covers and comfort products.

70%+ of fractures are caused by playgrounds, which makes playground injuries the leading cause of Emergency Room visits for school-aged children, ages 5-14.  

Whether you are a teacher, playground supervisor, parent, or caretaker, it's time to refresh yourself on back to school playground injury prevention tips and help prevent avoidable injuries on the school playground. 

Check out the CastCoverz! Blog for great information on Back to School Playground Injury Prevention Tips. 

CastCoverz! is your single source solution for orthopedic covers and comfort products, providing cast and brace covers, arm slings, designer color crutches, crutch covers/crutch pads, waterproof protectors, and so much more!

Feel Better, Heal Better with CastCoverz!

Two risk factors are associated with the escalation of injuries in youth sports, since 2000.  These two factors are specialization and professionalization.  What exactly does this mean?  

1. Specialization:  Specializing in one sport at a young age and playing it year-round
2. Professionalization:  Taking young kids with growing bones and training them excessively like professional athletes

What do orthopedic surgeons need to know about the specialization and professionalization of today's young athletes?  Orthopedic surgeon, James R. Andrews, MD suggests kids take 3-4 months off (or at least 2) from their sport, so their body can rest, adjust, mature, and get past any overuse type of situations.  As in professional sports, the fatigue factor kicks in, which greatly increases the risk of injury.

What role can the orthopedic surgeon take to help young athletes?  Andrews helped develop, through the American Orthopaedic Society of Sports Medicine (AOSSM,) the STOP Sports Injuries (Sports Trauma and Overuse Prevention) program in 2007, to focus on the importance of sports safety, specifically relating to overuse and trauma injuries.  Orthopedic surgeons can get involved at the grassroot and local level by giving conferences about the prevention of injuries with local sports teams and by becoming a collaborative partner with the STOP program.  The STOP Sports Injuries website gives tips and guidelines for keeping kids in the game for life.

For more information and to watch Dr. Andrews speak about this topic, click HERE.

"We love those DIY suggestions!," says Annette Giacomazzi, founder of CastCoverz!  "In fact, we would love to have brace wearers share photos of their personal creations on our FaceBook page or on Pinterest (tagging @castcoverz.) We've received fabulous and creative DIY pics of crutches and boots!"  But, our favorite tip of Rookie Magazines' is to change up the look with CastCoverz! Tubez! arm or leg orthopedic brace cover, of course.  Tubez! prevents the annoying scratching, snagging, chafing, and unpleasant smells that are commonly associated with wearing a bionic or compression brace. These brace covers are fun AND functional, available in a wide variety of fabrics, and can also be used as an under-sleeve or to cover a PICC line or tattoos.  

With so many and such fun decorating ideas, the possibilities are endless for decorating your leg brace, arm brace (or cast, for that matter!)

Back to school means back to sports.  The start of fall sports means children and teen athletes are at a much greater risk for sports related injuries.  Kate Carr, President and CEO of Safe Kids Worldwide, offers injury prevention safety tips in this short video clip:  How Children and Teens Can Avoid Sports Injuries

Nothing feels worse for young athletes than to get hurt and have to sit on the sidelines, while their team continues playing.  Safe Kids Worldwide and Johnson & Johnson released a new report, “Changing the Culture of Youth Sports,” to explore how the culture of youth sports may be keeping kids out of the game. 

Back to school, back to sports, time to huddle up about sports safety!

On how to maintain a healthy balance, Annette Giacomazzi says, "Other ways to keep a healthy balance is to involve your children in the business. “Older children, 10 and up, can actually help with the business. They can do some basic filing, vacuuming, dusting, etc., tasks. Responsible teenagers can help with packaging, social media, the website, even answering the phone. Involving them allows you to spend time with them and you're teaching them basic skills.”

To read this informative article in it's entirety, please click here: "Keeping Up with the Mompreneur Movement"

Going back to school is a fun and exciting, yet challenging, time in our youngsters' lives; especially, if one is on crutches! Goodbye Crutches has written a guest blog post for us titled, "5 Tips for Going Back to School on Crutches".  Follow these five tips to prepare your child and school for the challenges of crutches and orthopedic recovery while going back to school.  With a little help from CastCoverz! and Goodbye Crutches, the back to school experience on crutches can be as smooth as possible. 

Dana loves all things luxurious and living life out loud! In her blog, CastCoverz! & A Smile, Dana talks about how her daughter learned to live lavishly out loud with trending colorful crutches and other CastCoverz! fun and functional products that comfort orthopedic patients. When she first found out her daughter was going to be on crutches for 14 weeks, Dana was happy to find CastCoverz! and be able to add a little color into her life, along with a big smile.

Dana says, "CastCoverz! has everything you need if you have a cast, crutches, or just about anything else orthopedic and in-between." While Kallie has been recuperating, CastCoverz! has continued to thrive and be innovative with new products, such as their re-designed Bootz! walking boot covers from photos shown in Dana's blog. CastCoverz! will make your life easier, and your loved one's, while dealing with an orthopedic event.

You may have heard of entrepreneurs, but what about the new and rapidly growing movement of mompreneurs?  We're very excited to be featured in ProfNet's recent article:  The Q&A Team: The Business of a Mompreneur

In this article, they spoke with six mompreneurs who explained the definition of a mompreneur, in addition to how they got into their business.

CastCoverz! founder and owner, Annette d. Giacomazzi, agrees that being a mompreneur means recognizing that being a mom comes first, even over spreadsheets.  Her most favorite part is including the entire family in business conversations over the dinner table. 

Read the article in it's entirety for great input from 5 other successful mompreneurs.

Go ahead and enjoy the water this summer with DryPro!  Dive off the diving board and ride the ocean waves knowing your cast will come out completely dry.

*Note:  DryPro can also be used for bathing, PICC lines, and hydrotherapy and is available at CastCoverz!  CastCoverz! also provides a wide variety of comfort and care products including fabric cast, brace, splint, walking boot, crutch covers and so much more!

Watch our short video of customer photos, showing the FUNctional fashion statement you can make with CastCoverz!

Fun Fact:  Customers have reported our crutches are quieter than the squeak-squeak so common (and annoying) with standard crutches.

Don't forget to accessorize your new crutches with CastCoverz! CrutchWear.  Not only do crutches hurt your arms and hands, they hurt your sense of style.  Who knew using crutches could be comfortable, convenient, and fashionable all at the same time!  Crutchwear consists of crutch pads, hand grips, and crutch bags, which are a perfect addition, making it easy to carry your keys, money, and even a water bottle!  CrutchWear is available in over 30 fabric choices.

Watch this short video and you'll see what CastCoverz! Designer Color Crutches and CrutchWear are all about!

Emergency rooms are frequented by more than 200,000 children, under the age of 14, for playground accidents.  "There can be head injuries.  There can be hand and wrist injuries from falls.  There can be ankle and foot injuries from twisting," said orthopedic surgeon, Dr. David Shapiro.

Keep in mind that nearly 70% of all playground injuries are caused by a fall or faulty equipment.  Kids will usually outstretch their hand to catch their fall, which causes broken bones, along with elbow injuries.

Adult supervision is the best way to help prevent playground injuries, but also follow these tips and guidelines suggested by the CPSC to ensure a safe playground:  4 Tips for a Safe Playground

Should the unfortunate broken bone occur, CastCoverz! will save the day!  CastCoverz! provides cast covers, brace, splint, and walking boot covers, in addition to designer color crutches & crutch pads, along with waterproof & comfort products for orthopedic patients.  Orthopedic injuries are covered with CastCoverz!

The CastCooler keeps your cast fresh, reduces itch, and works with all breathable orthopedic casts...one size fits all! You can purchase the CastCooler online at CastCoverz!, provider of fun and functional products for orthopedic patients; such as cast covers, brace, splint, and walking boot covers, designer color crutches and crutch pads, along with waterproof protectors for bathing and swimming.  

Watch this video sent in by a mom, of her son's reaction while using CastCooler for the first time...the dog is barking, dishwasher running, but his reaction is priceless!

The DryPro waterproof cast protector offers the only arm and leg cast protection in the world with the patented vacuum seal to keep your cast or bandage dry.  Between the waterproof material and vacuum seal, feel free to jump in the lake, ride the waves, or dive into the pool!

Watch a short video HERE!

DryPro is available online at CastCoverz!, the leading provider of essential orthopedic accessories; such as, cast covers, brace and splint covers, walking boot covers, designer color crutches and crutch pads, fashionable arm slings and so much more!

Feel Better, Heal Better with CastCoverz!

Right before Halloween 2012, Kelly shouted out, "CastCoverz! changed my life!" after receiving a CCZ! care package for her son, Joaquin, as a result of having hand surgery.  In fact, Kelly shared her testimonial via a Tout video. Kelly was over the moon with the products they received especially the CastShield, a waterproof cast protector, ideal for bathing!  Other products Joaquin received included a halloween themed Slingz! and Armz!, too! 

We wonder what kind of shout out we'll receive this time, because our Bootz! products are on their way!  We're sending Feel Better, Heal Better best wishes, Mark!

Brandon is in need of CastCoverz!, the leading innovator and e-tailer of essential orthopedic accessories. Our Handz! cast cover will help keep his cast clean and snag-free.  We're on it and thinking a custom cover showing his SF spirit will help him Feel Better, so he Heals Better!  Take good care, Brandon!

In honor of Small Business Week, we're revisiting a blog that CastCoverz! was featured in by eZanga, called "The 12 Best Small Business Spotlight Quotes."  CastCoverz! provides fun and functional orthopedic products for men, women, and children, including cast, brace, and splint covers, walking boot and crutch covers, along with waterproof cast and bandage protectors and the CastCooler for comfort and relief from itch and moisture.  CastCoverz! was quoted in eZanga's article, "Without social media, we could have the best PPC and SEO program, but it would fall flat if our customers weren't given an outlet to express and share their stories." ~CastCoverz!

How well do you know your bones?  May is National Osteoporosis Month, the perfect time to make sure you know your bones by learning the risk factors of osteoporosis and making lifestyle changes needed to build and maintain strong bones.  The National Osteoporosis Foundation is dedicated to preventing osteoporosis, promoting strong bones, and reducing human suffering through education, advocacy, and research. 

For more information on just how to get to know your bones and whether you are at risk, read the article, "Know Your Bones:  May is National Osteoporosis Month."

"If someone you know ends up in a cast and wants to radiate Forever Chic Style, CastCoverz! is the answer!", thankz Kim!  You can read her review in it's entirety here:  April Showers, April Flowers and a Forever Chic Style Cast? CastCoverZ!

You can watch the video here:  DC News FOX 5 DC WTTG

Be sure to include a set of CCZ! CrutchWear crutch accessories, which make your crutches more comfortable with crutch pads, convenient by adding a crutch bag, and oh-so-fashionable with a variety of stylish fabrics to choose from. 

If you have to be on crutches, you might as well have some FUN with it!

Read this FAB review in it's entirety, HERE.  

One "Up in Flames" Slingz! is on it's way to Al!  We're hoping it helps him Feel Better, so he Heals Better!

Here's the video clip:  

You can buy your copy of "The Must Have Guide" HERE!

Alison is looking oh-so-fashionable wearing her Armz! arm cast cover in "24 Karat" and "Classic Cheetah" and reaping the benefits of it's functionality, too!  Cast covers not only look good, they keep your cast clean and snag-free!  Fashion, fun, and function in the orthopedic world.  Feel Better, Heal Better with CastCoverZ!

CastCoverZ! proudly carries the CastCooler!

In honor of Veteran’s Day, we’d like to share a few of the guidelines the Federal Flag Code suggests to guide civilians on how to display and handle the American flag properly.

Here are just a few of those guidelines: 

• The flag should be displayed from sunrise to sunset, though it may be displayed 24 hours a day, if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness
• The flag should never touch anything beneath it
• The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery
• The flag should not be draped over the hood, top, sides, or back of a vehicle, train, or boat
• The flag should never be displayed with the union down, except as a signal of dire distress
• The flag should never be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything

For more information about how to display the American flag: Click HERE!

Halloween is a FUN holiday, but not if you're on crutches!  Halloween on crutches can be downright dangerous.  In order to make it through the day on one leg, follow these Halloween safety tips:

1. Acquire proper lighting - bring a bright flashlight while trick-or-treating
2. Keep rest at the top of your list - choose one favorite event and save your energy for it
3. Think about costume safety - no dangling items or masks will ensure a safer holiday
4. Consider event alternatives - you might have to make some sacrifices this year for your health
5. Look into alternatives to crutches - if you don't feel completely stable on your crutches, there are other alternatives like Goodbye Crutches

You might have to make some adjustments to your holiday this year, but if you can stay safe and keep your recovery on track, it will be well worth it!

Giacomazzi encourages parents and educators to brush up on back-to-school injury prevention, to help avoid accidents, and offers some great tips and advice on how to prevent avoidable injuries on the school playground here:  CastCoverZ! Founder Provides Back to School Playground Injury Prevention Tips

For more tips on the prevention of broken bones and other feel better, heal better topics, visit the CCZ! blog!

Here are our Top 5 Cast Care Tips: 

1. Keep it dry - Try DryPro or CastShield waterproof cast covers
2. Never place anything inside your cast
3. Wiggle toes or fingers to improve circulation
4. Call your doctor immediately if you experience any increase in pain, redness, or swelling
5. To prevent scratching, snagging, and to keep your cast clean and dry, cover it with CastCoverZ! products

We know your pain, frustration, and inconvenience.  CastCoverZ! provides fun, functional, and waterproof products that comfort orthopedic patients.

Broken bones (also known as fractured bones) are common for both children and adults.  A broken bone occurs when a force exerted against the bone is stronger than it can structurally withstand.  Most fractures are usually due to a fall, athletic activity, or car accident.  The wrist, ankle, and hip are the most common sites for bone fractures and treatments include setting the broken bone in a cast or surgically pinning the bones back together.

There are many different types of bone fractures, but they are generally placed into one of four different categories:  Displaced, non-displaced, open, and closed.

Here are several different types of common bone fractures...

• Torus fracture (or buckle fracture) - commonly seen in children due to softer bones, a torus fracture occurs when one side of the bone may buckle upon itself without disrupting the other side, also known as an incomplete fracture
• Greenstick fracture - a small, slender crack in the bone, which is more common in children because of their flexible bones
• Open or compound fracture - the broken bone breaks through the skin
• Closed or simple fracture - the broken bone has not pierced through the skin
• Displaced fracture - the bone snaps in two or more parts and are no longer aligned
• Non-displaced fracture - the bone cracks partly or completely but maintains proper alignment
• Hairline fracture (or stress fracture) - often occurs from repetitive stress to the same bone
• Single fracture - a single break in one bone
• Segmental fracture - a fracture in two parts of the same bone
• Comminuted fracture - the bone is shattered into multiple small pieces

Although no one ever plans on suffering a broken bone, CastCoverZ! is here to help you Feel Better, so you Heal Better!  CastCoverZ! provides fun and functional products that comfort orthopedic patients; from cast, brace, and walking boot covers to colored crutches, crutch covers, and waterproof cast protectors, we've got you covered!

Adults most commonly fracture leg and ankle bones, along with forearms. One-sixth of all fractures treated among adults are known as Colles' fractures. A Colles' fracture is a fracture of the distal radius in the forearm with dorsal (posterior) displacement of the wrist and hand (commonly referred to as a "dinner-fork" or "bayonet" fracture.) They are most common in the elderly and often seen in people with osteoporosis.

A doctor may suspect a fractured bone simply based on the appearance of the injured area. Following is a list of signs and symptoms you can use to help determine whether or not a bone is broken in an adult.

How to know if a bone is broken in adults:

• Is the area swollen and bruised? 
• Is the limb hanging at a funny angle or look out of place? 
• Is the bone sticking out through the skin? Did the injured person feel or hear anything crack? 
• Can they move the injured area? 
• Does it hurt when touched? 
• Most importantly, consult a doctor. X-rays of the injured area will usually confirm the diagnosis of a broken bone, although stress or hairline fractures can be difficult to detect on an x-ray. If the x-ray does not show a fracture, but after 7-10 days, there is still pain or something just doesn't feel quite right, do not hesitate to ask for another. By that time, calcium "ribbons" will be visible. Calcium ribbons occur only when a bone has broken or suffered a Greenstick fracture (a mild bone fracture or bone bend.) 

If you suspect a broken bone, do your very best to keep the injured area still, until you know for sure what type of orthopedic injury you are dealing with. Once you know you're dealing with a fracture and have been casted, you'll definitely want to visit CastCoverZ! CastCoverZ! provides fun and functional products that comfort orthopedic patients, from cast covers and walking boot covers, to CrutchWear crutch accessories, we’ve got you covered! OH, and don't forget you'll need to keep that cast DRY with DryPro waterproof cast protector, and for some much needed relief from that itchy, stinky cast, try CastCooler! Feel Better, Heal Better, and be sure to check out our previous post, "How to Know if a Bone is Broken in Children."

Summer vacation includes many activities centered on the beach or in a swimming pool.  If dealing with a cast this summer, no worries, DryPro waterproof cast protector will help save the summer!  DryPro offers watertight protection, keeping casts (or bandages) completely DRY!

Staying break-free is ideal, of course, but if an accident happens, CastCoverZ! has the doctor-approved, patient-requested solutions for summertime broken bones for children and adults alike.  You can find our functional and fashionable orthopedic soft-good products, that help one stay active with a cast here: CastCoverZ! online store.  Have a great summer!

Most bone fractures in children happen due to falls, but that doesn't mean that every fall results in a broken bone!  If a child's fall is greater than their height, there is greater risk of injury.  It's not always easy to determine if a fracture has occured, so just exactly how do you know if a bone is broken?

If a bone is fractured:

• There may have been a snap or grinding noise during the injury.
• You will usually see swelling, bruising, or tenderness around the injured area.
• There will most likely be some pain involved.
• Watch for signs of a child favoring their injured limb.
• There can be a visible deformity, like a bump or change in the shape of the bone.  However, if the broken bone is not displaced (when the pieces on either side of the break are out of line), it may be more difficult to determine if the bone is actually fractured.
• Most importantly - visit your doctor.  Only an x-ray will confirm if you have a broken bone!  If after an x-ray, your child is still complaining of pain or something just isn't quite right, do not hesitate to ask for another x-ray after 7-10 days.  By that time, calcium "ribbons" will be visible.  Calcium ribbons occur only when a bone has broken or suffered a greenstick fracture (a mild bone fracture or bone bend.)

If you suspect a broken bone, do your very best to keep the injured area still, until you know for sure what type of orthopedic injury you are dealing with.  Once you know you're dealing with a fracture and have been casted, you'll definitely want to visit CastCoverZ!  CastCoverZ! provides fun and functional products that comfort orthopedic patients, from cast covers and walking boot covers, to colored crutches and CrutchWear crutch accessories, we've got you covered!  OH, and don't forget you'll need to keep that cast DRY with DryPro waterproof cast protector and for some much needed relief from that itchy, stinky cast, try CastCooler!

Feel better, heal better and stay tuned for "How to Know if a Bone is Broken in Adults", coming soon in our next post!

As a former mentee of Ms. Monosoff, CCZ! Founder, Annette d. Giacomazzi, was honored to earn a special place in Tamara's new book, actually, the quote on the front cover.  Giacomazzi was quoted, "Before you cash-in your 401K or sell the family farm, read this book!  By far, the best book on researching and testing a product for viability I have read.  The simple, jargon-less style, and action steps make it easy to connect the dots."  For more of Annette's review, please read her review about Ms. Monosoff and Mr. Kofoed's new book, "How Hot is Your Product?" at Amazon.com.   

CastCoverz! was one of 2 businesses featured in a how-to column about website construction written by NY Times guest columnist, Melinda Emerson, titled, "How Two Owners Got the Web Sites They Wanted," Friday, May 31st, 2013.  Annette d. Giacomazzi, Founder and CEO of CastCoverz!, said, "I was asked the question, 'Why do you love your website?'" My  answer was two-fold, our customers tell us they like the usability, the feel, the ease, and that our website is trustworthy (love that!) But the other part is the vendor partners I hand-picked to support my business model and vision.  This includes my webmaster, Joanne, and WebMarketingTherapy, who have helped us aspire to total web domination.   It's been a huge learning curve, a lot of money, endless time and a few curve balls.  But overall, I love my website because our customers love it."  The article was featured in one of NY Times' favorite column series titled, "You're the Boss.  The Art of Running a Small Business."  The popular column has guest columnists writing from an array of topics, including, but not limited to, building value, social media, it's insights and managing employees. Ms. Emerson, herself a small-business owner (Quintessence Multimedia), writes about small business and social media.  

Giacomazzi, on the eve of launching her third iteration of her website, said, "You could call me a reluctant shifter.  I try not to be a glutten for punishment.  When something is working well, my attention is usually in another direction.  But my webmaster told me I had grown beyond her hybrid cart and ecommerce platform and that I needed to find a more robust solution."   After she settled into that reality, Giacomazzi didn't just make a list from her own set of requirements, she proactively asked her customers what they would like to see in the website.   Giacomazzi continued, "Almost all of the new ideas for the website came from our customers, the balance came from our employees.  Joanne, my webmaster, and I created a comprehensive rubric to look at the features I wanted and potential ecommerce providers.  I settled on Big Commerce.  Joanne is a talented WebMaster.  As a result, she has tweaked many things on Big Commerce’s platform to make it our own. This ensures the CastCoverz! web site will not be an out-of-the-box website, but have our customers' and employees' stamp on it.” 

Web Marketing Therapy, the other leg of the three-legged stool in CastCoverz!'s tool chest of success on the internet, was also profiled.  Giacomazzi explained, "I had a great website, but I needed help in having customers find us at the very moment they needed us.  We utilized or tweaked just about every tool they taught us."  Those tools included SEO, meta-tags, keyword building, re-branding, social media, press releases, blogging, everything but PPC.  Giacomazzi declared, "The results of my 'therapy' were so effective that I still use the tools I learned amd dedicate my team resources so that one person's sole responsiblity is social media, for example and I go back for occasional therapy sessions!"   

This article is just another of major media publications who love the CastCoverz! story.  Huffington Post, in conjunction with Marlo Thomas, featured CastCoverz! foundational roots (daughter has broken 9 bones!) and phenom growth, Yahoo! featured CastCoverz! in an amazing 3 minute video profile (family business out of the home), Entrepreneur featured Annette facing her adversities (the first year she faced not only a growing business, but a business partner dissolution, failed manufactured goods shipment, and a a rare breast cancer diagnosis), best-selling author, Stephen Key, profiled Annette and 6 other entrepreneurs in his book, "One Simple Idea for Start-Ups and Entrepreneurs," along with so many other features, mommy bloggers and business columns.  

CastCoverz! announced their new 1-800 number during AAOS (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) tradeshow in March, 2013.  The new number is easy to remember: 1-800-CASTCOVER (or 1-800-227-8268).  Annette d. Giacomazzi, Founder and CEO of CastCoverz!, said about the change, "We wanted a number that is easy to remember and from a marketing perspective, 1-800 numbers are still king."  Free phone numbers were first introduced in the 1960's and businesses have used easily recognizable numbers for branding and customer service for nearly 50 years.  Giacomazzi continued, "as the leader in the cast cover space, it was time we invested in a response tool that makes it even easier for our customers to find and remember us.  It's more than a toll-free number, it's our brand." CastCoverz! is transitioning all their print materials and media campaigns to reflect this change.