Pin-site infections and shower

You can use some bandage covers for showering: http://www.mobilitycentre.co.nz/product/1127882

One the staples were removed for the tib and fib osteotomies, Parihar okayed showering with the frames on. Just have to make sure to dry off thoroughly and change your dressings afterward.

Quote from: Joel on March 16, 2015, 07:13:50 PM

Nah, my hair was actually fine, and as long as I kept my armpits shaved and used deodorant I didn't smell bad.  People and animals have lived for millions of years without needing to bathe constantly.

I never asked my doctor, but everyone at least used trash bags while showering. I did bird baths at the sink until I had my frame removed. But we also weren't allowed to drink the water, so showering is not something I wanted to do. Also, we were wrapped in bandages at our pin sites and had them cleaned/changed weekly, so getting wet was not ideal. One girl I knew got an infection, and she showered with trash bags and put oil/girly products on her skin. So I suspect that's what triggered it, because the rest of us never got an infection with the once a week bandage change.

I have decided to start my LL plan by tibias and externals. The disadvantages are bearing the bulky fixators and control the pins infection.
There's some debate around if it's better having shower or simply not because "clean" water is of course also still a source of microbes despite abundance of soap and pin aftercare.

I would like to ask those who have already done it or anybody else who might have known something, for example doctors advice, if the article in the following link may help.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bloccs-Child-Short-Waterproof-Cover/dp/B007UONM2C/ref=mp_s_a_1_8?crid=2C7G35E3095OJ&keywords=bloccs+waterproof+cast+cover&qid=1645120847&sprefix=bloccs%2Caps%2C183&sr=8-8

However I would still don't know if there's an adult size elastic enough that can be put in place due to bulkiness of fixators....

The full circunference of these seems to be 28 + 28 = 56 cm.
Does any of the veterans having done tibias with externals think this is enough to pass through the fixators up and protect pins legs down?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B07DFPVYDH/ref=sspa_mw_detail_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9waG9uZV9kZXRhaWw

I'm searching accomodation near the hospitals where I may do LL because I need to have a full budget and prefer to maybe make reservations that I can still cancel with some anticipation.
But, let alone stairs,  I wonder: in one of the cheapest, the bathroom has a bathtub, not a simple. shower.
Do you think I will have range of motion or any other problem entering a bathtub with externals on tibias? I may have aid but still....

You can clean your body with wet towel and eliminate the bad smells with deodorants.

Is it safe to wash your lower leg if you have a fixator on Femur? Also is there way that you guys can suggest to cover the leg while having a shower? I have already read that water interaction should be avoided during the lengthening but man, I cannot think months without having a shower. If anyone has an idea to make this easier please inform me as well.

Internal nails - full body shower/swimming pool after 2 weeks for the wounds to heal

Externals:
1. tibia external - with a trash bag secured with scotch tape above the knees; make sure NO water goes into the bag. Preferably timed with change of bandages immediately after surgery to reduce moisture.
When you remove the trash bags be careful to roll it on itself not to get any water on the bandages or the frame.
Optional - hair dryer on cold setting after removal of trash bags if you cant get a bandage change right after

2. femur external - no showering for the duration of the frame. Clean ass with wet wipes after toilet and armpits and crotch with a wet towel. You chose hardmode LL, deal with it