CASTING TECHNIQUE RESPONSES #2
Skewes, Ed
Description
Collection
Title:
CASTING TECHNIQUE RESPONSES #2
Creator:
Skewes, Ed
Date:
12/18/2000
Text:
Hello again. Enclosed are some additional responses.
Ed,
We have rolls of cotton strap material. We have made cut off strips from
this by doubling or tripling it , stitching to hold, and using this as the
buffer from the patients skin. It is fairly durable but you have to be more
careful than with the tubing. You can also use a strip of 3/16 pelite or ¼
inch crepe.
I look forward to your post of replies.
D Ed,
You might try a strip of elastic webbing, but you might have to double it.
I have use this and have been very successful.
Kim
a strip of leather...5/6 oz
Ed,
Very good question. I've worked with myelo patients for years. Have always
used the rubber hose - even when it was known that the patient has a latex
allergy. I'd always inform the parents who usually allowed me to continue.
I've never had a reaction. But it was probably not wise on my part. On
patients that were especially sensitive, I'd put the hose on the outside of
the sock. I never use latex gloves with myelo patients. I'm curious to
know if anyone has had a patient react to the rubber hose.
Harold Anderson, CO
Hi Ed!
Try using a 1 strip of Ortholene or some other low temp Thermoform plastic.
It works wonderful and can be used for a myriad of applications. It also
bends easily to shape to a LE for AFO casting.
Cheers,
Dennis Stanek, CO
Second though- I often use a doubled layer piece of elastic Dacron. Same
problem you mentioned- does not conform well, but you don't use the area
where it lays anyway!
Place stockinet (or even 2 layers) on the patient first, then position the
tubing. This barrier should protect the allergic patient even if it tears
during cutting & removal. And shouldn't increase the size of the cast too
much!
Joan Cestaro, C.P.
Ed,
I use a plastic strip I get from cascade DAFO Inc. it is designed to be use
with a hook carpet knife. I did use the surgical tubing for a lot of years I
would use two layer of Stockinet I never had a problem with reactions to the
latex. A side note if you use Vaseline on the tube you can pull it out of
the cast, and then cut the cast with cast scissors instead of the cast saw.
Jim Butts
There are a number of options in replacing your latex tubing. There are
commercially available poly and copoly tubes as well as the DAFO cutting
strip by Cascade. In addition there are a number of flat plastics that do
well as cutting strips. You might take a few minutes and check out the local
pluming supply house. They have a number of drainage tubes that are not of
latex or rubber.
Good Luck
Carey
Depending on the size of the patient I sew several (2 or 3) layers of ½, ¾,
or 1 cotton webbing strap together and use in place of the tubing.
John Hatch, CPO
A simple technique common in the UK is to use a lubricated tube of any type
that is pulled out before removing the cast with Plaster Shears.
I find that kids are rarely frightened of the Shears and they are portable.
Stockinet or tubi-grip holds the tube in place when casting.
Ed,
I see primarily pediatric patients and use vinyl tubing from a hardware
store available in a variety of sizes. Although the latex is easier to use,
I have never had a problem with casting small feet.
Carol
Ed,
We have rolls of cotton strap material. We have made cut off strips from
this by doubling or tripling it , stitching to hold, and using this as the
buffer from the patients skin. It is fairly durable but you have to be more
careful than with the tubing. You can also use a strip of 3/16 pelite or ¼
inch crepe.
I look forward to your post of replies.
D Ed,
You might try a strip of elastic webbing, but you might have to double it.
I have use this and have been very successful.
Kim
a strip of leather...5/6 oz
Ed,
Very good question. I've worked with myelo patients for years. Have always
used the rubber hose - even when it was known that the patient has a latex
allergy. I'd always inform the parents who usually allowed me to continue.
I've never had a reaction. But it was probably not wise on my part. On
patients that were especially sensitive, I'd put the hose on the outside of
the sock. I never use latex gloves with myelo patients. I'm curious to
know if anyone has had a patient react to the rubber hose.
Harold Anderson, CO
Hi Ed!
Try using a 1 strip of Ortholene or some other low temp Thermoform plastic.
It works wonderful and can be used for a myriad of applications. It also
bends easily to shape to a LE for AFO casting.
Cheers,
Dennis Stanek, CO
Second though- I often use a doubled layer piece of elastic Dacron. Same
problem you mentioned- does not conform well, but you don't use the area
where it lays anyway!
Place stockinet (or even 2 layers) on the patient first, then position the
tubing. This barrier should protect the allergic patient even if it tears
during cutting & removal. And shouldn't increase the size of the cast too
much!
Joan Cestaro, C.P.
Ed,
I use a plastic strip I get from cascade DAFO Inc. it is designed to be use
with a hook carpet knife. I did use the surgical tubing for a lot of years I
would use two layer of Stockinet I never had a problem with reactions to the
latex. A side note if you use Vaseline on the tube you can pull it out of
the cast, and then cut the cast with cast scissors instead of the cast saw.
Jim Butts
There are a number of options in replacing your latex tubing. There are
commercially available poly and copoly tubes as well as the DAFO cutting
strip by Cascade. In addition there are a number of flat plastics that do
well as cutting strips. You might take a few minutes and check out the local
pluming supply house. They have a number of drainage tubes that are not of
latex or rubber.
Good Luck
Carey
Depending on the size of the patient I sew several (2 or 3) layers of ½, ¾,
or 1 cotton webbing strap together and use in place of the tubing.
John Hatch, CPO
A simple technique common in the UK is to use a lubricated tube of any type
that is pulled out before removing the cast with Plaster Shears.
I find that kids are rarely frightened of the Shears and they are portable.
Stockinet or tubi-grip holds the tube in place when casting.
Ed,
I see primarily pediatric patients and use vinyl tubing from a hardware
store available in a variety of sizes. Although the latex is easier to use,
I have never had a problem with casting small feet.
Carol
Citation
Skewes, Ed, “CASTING TECHNIQUE RESPONSES #2,” Digital Resource Foundation for Orthotics and Prosthetics, accessed November 2, 2024, https://library.drfop.org/items/show/215431.
