The waterproof cast allowed Callahan Burke to do swim lessons, run through the sprinkler and take baths without any disruptions to her daily life.

Story by: Sara Sidery on April 18, 2023

Callahan Burke is an active toddler who loves playing outside, riding on her scooter, jumping on the trampoline and trying her best to keep up with her big brother and sister. When she was 3, she fell off her scooter and fractured her elbow. Although it’s never good timing for a child to sustain an injury, summer had just begun, and Callahan was about to start swimming lessons.

Callahan’s mom, Emily, thought her daughter’s injury meant that many of their summer plans would have to change, get canceled or at least look very different. It would take weeks for the injury to heal in a full-arm cast, and traditional casts can’t get wet. But when Callahan went to get fitted for a cast at Norton Children’s Orthopedics of Louisville, affiliated with the UofL School of Medicine, the family learned there was an option that would allow the toddler to have an active summer: a waterproof cast.

“I didn’t even know waterproof casts were an option, and when they presented it as an option, I was like, sign me up,” Emily said. “It was worth it to have for the summer and not have to worry about the cast getting wet, running through the sprinkler, at bath time and so on. Not having that stress was worth every penny with a 3-year-old.”

Callahan was under the care of pediatric orthopedic surgeon Joshua W. Meier, M.D., who was a calm and patient presence when the toddler was feeling nervous.

“He was so knowledgeable and explained everything in way I could understand,” Emily said. “Everything was easy to interpret, and the entire staff made it so putting on the cast wasn’t a scary experience. Everything went great.”

Emily says she would “absolutely recommend” the team at Norton Children’s Orthopedics of Louisville, and encourages other families who may be dealing with a child’s injury to consider a waterproof cast as well.

“If people are on the fence about the waterproof cast, if they are nervous to get it wet, out of fear it could smell, be itchy or cause other problems, we had no issues at all,” Emily said. “Callahan was able to do her swim lessons and take baths. It was a lifesaver for summer, and we were able to continue our daily life.”

Callahan made a full recovery from her elbow fracture and continues to grow normally. Today, the 4-year-old still loves to ride her scooter and run around as much as she can, fully healed from her injury.