starting college with a cast on, any advice?

Question

i'm starting college in a few weeks and i just got a leg cast on after breaking a few bones. does anyone have any advice on walking to class, activities, dorm life, showering, or just any personal experiences with a cast? thanks so much!

Answer 1

Sorry about your leg, hope you have a quick recovery. Here are some tips- hope they help a little.

1. If you get tired during class sesions with your leg, see if you can get a foldable stool and rest your leg on it during classes. I am sure the teacher won't mind.

2.Regarding showering, place a bathroom mat or towel in bath.. get two plastic stools, sit on one, and rest your foot on the other, shower as normal with shower in your hand- this prevents your foot cast from getting the water.

For baths, turn a plastic laundry basket on it side and put up your leg and enjoy your bath.

3. To get around kitchen and house, use a computor type chair with the roller wheels on it, you can use the crutch as an oar with your right hand to move around.

4. Put your backpack on the front of you rather than at the back, it is easier to access your things.

5.To carry things around with you at home, use an apron with pockets. This is great for men and women.

Answer 2

Get a rolling back pack to carry your things around campus. In my sophomore year, I showed up on campus with a cast and found that other students were very helpful and accommodating. First, do not avoid activities or parties. (unless of course you have unfinished homework) I went to a party and there was a super hot guy dancing with some of the girls. I could only sit on the couch and watch. Much to my surprise and pleasure, he brought me a plate of refreshments and sat by me the rest of the evening. We were inseparable for the next 5 years. Some dorms have a tub. Get a super strong cleaner and buy your own personal tub mat to sit on. Bring a supply of trash bags to cover your cast. After a while you will find your skin itches. DO NOT use coat hangers. Get a contentrator attachment for your blow dryer and blow cool air under the cast. it is soothing. Good luck!

Answer 3

If you are non-weight bearing and have a cast only on the lower part of leg, I recommend a rolling knee walker. This is a great alternative to crutches when having to cover long distances. The draw back is that it cannot be used on stairs or curbs. Although, more universities are striving to increase physical accessibility. You use it my bearing weight through the knee of the affected leg, then pushing with the other leg like a scooter.

This product is also called a rollabout, a rollator, etc. YOU DO NEED TO GET PERMISSION FROM YOUR DOCTOR TO FIND OUT IF IT IS OK FOR YOU TO BEAR WEIGHT THROUGH THE KNEE.

I have included a website that gives an example. You may be able to call a medical supply store near your home to find out if they rent them.

Answer 4

Oh i'm so happy I'm not the only one. I'll have surgery two days before school starts and i'll be walking with a cast on. Well, find out if at your school they have transportation to take you as close as they can to ur class. I'm planning on parking on the handicap section very close to my classes so that way i dont have to walk w/ those clutches. About showering, i guess just shower w/ ur foot out of the shower? i'm not sure, that's a good question though. Good luck!

Answer 5

You still have a few weeks left to go to collage. By then your leg will be surely better and perhaps you will get a walking cast or boot. Enter in contact with older students of this collage. I’m sure they will help you in the first days to get used to the collage live and activities.

Answer 6

I work in an Ortho office so i know this one... temp handicap sticker is great if you have a car or know someone who does. those scooters are great too if you have access to one. showering is tough, get a plastic bag, wrap it with press n seal make sure its closed and shower normally. if it does get wet, just get a hairdryer on cool and dry it that way. dont let your foot sit in a wet cast.. your skin will be torn up. just take it easy, prop your foot up when you can, take your time on your crutches. hope that helps a little!

Answer 7

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