Break a bone? New 3M cast accessories let you get wet without worry.

ST. PAUL, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 7, 1995--For the 6.6 million Americans each year who suffer a broken bone, the difficulty of keeping their casts away from water can be as troublesome as the initial break. Now, 3M Scotchcast Wet or Dry padding and stockinet allow people wearing 3M fiberglass casts to maintain normal daily activities without protecting their casts from water.

With traditional casting products, patients are instructed to not get their casts wet because retained moisture can result in the breakdown of casts and skin. Wearers of the new 3M Scotchcast Wet or Dry padding and stockinet can now shower, bathe, swim or use a whirlpool without covering their casts. In fact, the new casting products can be totally immersed in water while wearers maintain skin conditions similar to a traditional dry cast.

3M Scotchcast Wet or Dry padding and stockinet is used under 3M fiberglass casting tape and sheds water to help wearers feel comfortably dry within one to three hours. "Instead of trapping and retaining moisture for long periods of time like standard casting products, 3M Scotchcast Wet or Dry padding and stockinet repel it," said Dennis Graham, supervisor at 3M Health Care. "When patients get their casts wet, gravity drains water away at the lowest opening in the cast until the cast feels comfortably dry."

After a broken bone has been diagnosed by a doctor and a cast is indicated, a clinician usually applies padding and stockinet before applying the casting tape which gives the cast its rigid features for immobilizing the injury. The stockinet is a knitted material resembling a thin sock that rests against the skin during the life of the cast. Padding is applied over the stockinet to protect the skin and underlying bones. Both conform to the area being casted to help improve patient comfort and cast fit. In a recent study, over 800 patients were casted using 3M Scotchcast Wet or Dry padding and stockinet. After wearing the cast, 95 percent of the patients indicated they would prefer the 3M product on their next cast.

Odor in casts is a significant issue. Imagine wearing a sock for six weeks without washing it. In a similar manner, perspiration often collects in current casts, causing significant odor. But now, 3M Scotchcast Wet or Dry padding and stockinet shed water and perspiration after bathing, resulting in less cast odor. In a recent study, patients were treated with two casts, both constructed with 3M Wet or Dry accessories. They were instructed to keep one cast dry and allowed to get the other cast wet. After wearing both types of casts, 100 percent rated the casts using the new 3M accessories as having no odor or acceptable odor.

Wearers of 3M Scotchcast Wet or Dry padding and stockinet may expect additional benefits as well. When a cast made of most conventional padding and stockinet becomes wet, the skin may become irritated and infected. This may cause patients to return to the clinic for an assessment of their problems. 3M Wet or Dry products allow patients, with the discretion of their physician, to get their casts wet while maintaining skin conditions similar to a dry cast.

3M Scotchcast Wet or Dry padding and stockinet is currently available to patients at most clinics and hospitals across the country.

3M is a diversified, international company with a $2 billion health care business. 3M Health Care consists of more than 10,000 medical, surgical, consumer and home health care, dental and pharmaceutical products. 3M Health Care is committed to supplying reliable products and services that exceed the expectations of its customers and make a difference in the practice, delivery and outcome of health care.

For more information on 3M Scotchcast Wet or Dry padding and stockinet, call the 3M Health Care Customer Helpline at 1-800-228-3957 or write to 3M Health Care, Attn: 95HC-502, Building 275-4E-01, St. Paul, MN 55133-3275.

Note: 3M and Scotchcast are trademarks of 3M.

CONTACT: Colle & McVoy

Brian Kane, 612/897-7652 or Fax: [phone]

or

3M Health Care, St. Paul

Carie Anderson, 612/737-5090 or Fax: [phone]