Introducing FlexiOH: The Waterproof Cast Now Available at Vertex Podiatry in Columbus

The Problem with Traditional Casts

If you've ever worn a plaster or fiberglass cast, you know the routine: wrap it in plastic before every shower, sleep elevated to prevent swelling, tolerate the itch you can't scratch, and then endure the shriek of the cast saw when it comes off. For a fracture that takes four to six weeks to heal, that's a long time to live that way.

Traditional casts have served orthopedics well for over a century - but they were designed in an era before modern polymer chemistry. In 2026, there is a better option.

What Is FlexiOH?

FlexiOH is a Light-Cured Polymer Immobilizer (LCPI) distributed in the United States by OrthoHeal. Instead of setting through a chemical reaction like plaster - or requiring water activation like fiberglass - FlexiOH is applied as a pliable polymer and then hardened with a UV light in under three minutes. The result is a precisely fitted, rigid immobilizer that conforms to the exact contours of your limb.

The key difference from everything that came before: FlexiOH repels water entirely. Not "water resistant." Not "mostly okay if you're quick." Actually, completely waterproof.

8 Clinical Advantages Over Plaster and Fiberglass

Vertex Podiatry evaluated FlexiOH against every cast we've used before introducing it to our practice. Here's what stood out:

• 100% waterproof - Shower, bathe, and swim without removing the cast or using waterproof covers
• Lightweight - Significantly lighter than plaster; most patients remark on this immediately
• Breathable lattice design - Unlike the sealed surface of fiberglass, FlexiOH allows airflow that reduces skin maceration, odor, and irritation
• Comfortable fit - The polymer is applied in a pliable state and conforms to the exact shape of your limb before hardening
• Sets in under 3 minutes - UV curing is fast and predictable; no waiting for a chemical reaction
• No cast saw required - Removal is quiet, vibration-free, and significantly less stressful - especially for children
• Skin-friendly - No fiberglass fibers means no dermal microabrasions or the characteristic itch of fiberglass casts
• Modern appearance - Available in multiple colors; patients - especially kids - actually like how it looks

The Clinical Evidence

We don't introduce technology to our practice without reviewing the literature. A 2026 retrospective cohort study published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine examined outcomes in 108 consecutive patients treated with a light-cured polymer immobilization system:

• 99.1% maintained anatomic or near-anatomic fracture alignment through the immobilization period - fully comparable to historical plaster and fiberglass benchmarks
• Mean immobilization duration of 29.2 days - consistent with standard healing windows
• Low complication rate - 1.9% mild skin reactions, all self-resolving; no structural failures or alignment loss

What Fractures Can FlexiOH Treat?

At Vertex Podiatry, we currently offer FlexiOH in two configurations:

Short Leg Waterproof Cast - for fractures and injuries below the knee, including:

• Ankle fractures (distal fibula, bimalleolar)
• Fifth metatarsal fractures, including Jones fractures
• Lisfranc injuries requiring immobilization
• Severe ankle sprains requiring immobilization

Long Leg Waterproof Cast - for injuries requiring full leg immobilization above the knee:

• Tibial fractures
• Complex knee injuries requiring immobilization

Dr. Golan will evaluate your specific fracture pattern, displacement, and healing requirements to determine whether FlexiOH is appropriate for your injury.

Who Benefits Most from FlexiOH?

Active adults who find the restrictions of a traditional cast most disruptive. Being able to shower normally eliminates one of the most significant quality-of-life burdens of fracture recovery.

Children and teens - pediatric patients often experience genuine anxiety around the cast saw. Removing that from the equation changes the experience substantially.

Athletes recovering from foot and ankle fractures who want to remain active in low-impact cross-training (swimming, for example) during their recovery window.

Patients with sensitive skin or known reactions to fiberglass - the polymer material and open lattice design significantly reduce dermal irritation.

Now Available in Columbus at Vertex Podiatry

Vertex Podiatry at 1500 W 3rd Ave Suite 120 in Grandview Heights is among the first podiatry practices in Columbus, Ohio to offer FlexiOH to fracture patients. Call us at (614) 328-5561 or schedule online.