Plaster of Paris Casts 

The prospect of dealing with a baby in plaster casts is a daunting one, but like most things in life, it's not as bad as you would imagine! Scott had surgery in October 2001 at the age of 10 months, with 2 operations, 2 weeks apart, and went immediately into plaster of Paris casts from toes up to thighs. Apart from one change of plasters after the second operation, and a further change under general anaesthetic after 6 weeks, he remained in them for 3 months. The legs were in a bent position to prevent the casts being kicked off.

Scott soon adjusted to life with casts, and so did we. He quickly got used to the weight, and was soon waving his legs around. He wasn't crawling at this stage, and in fact didn't crawl until he was 14 months old, after coming out of plaster, but I understand that many children will crawl, and even attempt walking in casts.

There were some small challenges. The first was finding an easy way to change nappies as we could no longer use the classic action holding the ankles together! I found it easiest  to slip my hand under his bottom to lift him to get the nappy on. Then there was the question of what to wear. I bought some inexpensive baggy shorts, as well as jogging bottom style trousers in larger sizes. Also some ordinary style baby trousers fitted over the casts as many are quite wide in the leg. For night time, I found baggy two piece pajama sets worked best. An unexpected challenge came when out shopping, as I found that once his legs slipped into a shopping trolley, they would not come out again, and I had to enlist the help of other shoppers to release him! I found a similar problem with some styles of high chairs. The casts would not fit into those wooden high chairs found in many shops, motorway services, etc. while the fold away plastic ones were a lot easier. The other challenge was avoiding the licking legs! You can expect a few nasty bruises, plus some chipping of the casts, plus extra hoovering to remove the little bits left around the house!

I had expected funny looks and comments from strangers, but few people commented on Scott's casts, and those who did assumed he had "clicky hips" as awareness of this seems to be quite high. I had expected people to think we had dropped him or mistreated him, and had considered getting a humorous T-shirt (worlds youngest sky diver, or similar!). Anyway, I am the sort of person who will tell anyone who looks interested what the problem is (thus the website!!) Also, being winter, his legs were often under a blanket or cosy toes.

The 3 months in casts passed much quicker than I would have expected, and I remember the excitement myself and my husband felt on the day we went to the hospital to get the casts removed. We weren't prepared for the trauma of actually having them removed though! They are sawn of with a mini circular saw that I am told could not cut into the skin as it has an automatic cut off when it breaks through the plaster. Anyway, it was a matter of holding Scott down, and trying to ignore the screaming. I'm not sure what to suggest to parents to make this easier, but I suppose it very much depends on the child. I hadn't expected a problem, as Scott didn't seem scared of loud noises (vacuum cleaner, waste disposal, food processor, etc.), but other babies accept it a lot easier.

When the casts come off, you have to be prepared for the scaly legs and the scabby feet,  but in a day or so, the skin will look normal. The scars were no worse than I expected, and these gradually fade and become less noticeable. You must also be prepared for the skinny "wasted" calves! You may have a bonny baby with ample flesh, but scrawny lower legs! This probably won't improve, as it goes with the condition. Also the skin will be quite delicate, and suddenly your babe has to wear sturdy little boots for the first time. We had to find some thick, soft socks to make the boots more comfy. However, it is an exciting time with new feet, which look nearly normal for the first time!