GB2210559A

GB2210559A - Foot support for walking cast

Info

Publication number: GB2210559A
Application number: GB8723457A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Christopher Emerick Benedict
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1987-10-06
Filing date: 1987-10-06
Publication date: 1989-06-14
Anticipated expiration: 2007-10-06
Also published as: GB2210559B; GB8723457D0

Abstract

A preformed cast insert for use with a walking cast comprises a shaped sole 1 provided with a reinforcement hoop 2 which extends over the user's foot. The insert has projections 9 or a textured surface to key it to the cast. Ventilation apertures 7, 8 are provided in the sole and hoop. The sole may be of variable density. <IMAGE>

Description

PREFORMED CAST INSERT AND CASTS EMPLOYING SUCH DEVICES This invention relates to a preformed cast insert and to casts employing such devices.

At the present time casts made of plaster or other materials are usually applied to injured legs, feet and ankles so that the cast not only embraces the patient's foot but may also extend for some distance or completely up the leg, the size and nature of the cast depending upon the injury concerned. Casts which are applied in this way and are intended so that the user can be mobile are usually referred to as "walking casts", that is the patient can, perhaps with some difficulty, walk about whilst wearing the cast and the present invention is intended to apply to casts of this type.

When casts are usually applied to the foot of a patient an inner protective layer of material, for example linen, lint or some other material, is applied over the limb or foot and the cast material is then placed on top of it. The foot and limb are usually held in position until the cast solidifies. Various difficulties can arise, for example, the cast may prove to be insufficiently strong, especially in the foot area, and the wearer 5 toes are often left exposed. In order to provide some protection however the cast is sometimes made beneath the wearer's toes but this portion often breaks away. A further difficulty is that the rocker beneath the cast on which the patient walks is often placed incorrectly and this leads to strain on the patient's leg.Again, because of the imprecise way in which casts are applied there is often insufficient support or incorrect support at the bottom of the foot.

Yet a further problem is that the patient's foot often becomes uncomfortable due to lack of air circulation and the cast is sometimes unnecessarily tight over the top of the user's foot which again leads to needless discomfort.

The present invention is intended to overcome the difficulties set forth above and to provide a preformed cast insert which can be used when forming a walking cast which will not only provide reinforcement to the cast at the point of the highest loading when the patient is walking but will also ensure that there is proper support of the patient's foot. Various other advantages will also be apparent.

According to the present invention a preformed cast insert for use with a walking cast comprises a shaped sole provided with reinforcement means which extend over the user's foot.

Thus, the cast insert when placed on the user's foot prior to the formation of the cast, will not only assist in aligning the foot and leg whilst the cast material sets or cures, but will also provide a suitable platform for the wearer's foot when the patient is walking.

Preferably the reinforcement means are provided by a hoop which extends from one side of the sole to the other and between which the user's foot is located when in used The insert can be made from any suitable material but is preferably made from a synthetic plastics material.

The sole portion can be provided with a heel cup and arch support and also with a toe pad and/or cup to protect the wearer's toes.

Preferably the lower surface of the sole has a convex surface to provide a rocker.

The sole and/or reinforcement means can be provided with apertures thus allowing air circulation and the outer surfaces of the sole and/or reinforcement means can be provided with means for keying it to the cast material with which it is to be used.

Thus, the keying means can be provided by a textured surface or by projecting bosses, studs, spikes or other projections.

If desired the sole can be moulded of a variable density material or be comprised of a number of different pieces or layers of material of different densities suitably connected together. The intention of this type of construction is to provide some cushioning of the sole of the foot.

The invention also includes a walking cast embodying a cast insert as set forth above.

Also included is a method of making a walking cast which includes wrapping the leg and/or foot of a patient with a normal cast padding material, placing a preformed cast insert as set forth above on the user's foot, wrapping the leg and/#r foot with normal cast material, aligning the foot and leg until the material cures with the insert in place.

The invention can be performed in many ways but one embodiment will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a isometric view of a preformed cast insert according to the present invention; and, Figure 2 is a cross-sectional side elevation of the insert shown in Figure 1.

As shown in the drawings a preformed cast insert for use with a walking cast comprises a shaped sole 1 which will act as a platform for the patient's foot.

Reinforcement means in the form of a hoop 2 extends from one side of the sole to the other just behind the position of the patient's toes. This hoop provides reinforcement of the cast at the point of highest loading when the patient is walking in the cast.

The sole 1 is formed with a heel cup 3 and arch support 4 which provide proper support of the patient's foot when walking. It also makes the task of properly aligning the cast foot to the leg more easy and reliable when the cast is being made.

A toe pad and/or cup 5 provides reliable protection of the cast wearer's toes from external injury because the cast insert is made of tougher, more resilient material than the material used for the cast.

The lower surface of the so'* 1 has a convex surface 6 which provides a rocker which ensures that the location of the sole rocker is in the best position for ease of walking, thus reducing unusual loads on the wearer's knee, hip and back.

A plurality of apertures 7 are provided in the sole to allow circulation of air and similar apertures 8 (not shown in Figure 1) may also be provided in the reinforcement hoop 2.

The outer surfaces of the sole 1 and hoop 2 are provided with means for keying it to the cast material with which it is to be used and in the arrangenent shown in the drawings a plurality of spikes 9 are provided.

The cast insert can be made, for example, by a simple casting process and the various parts and desired surface can be formed appropriately. An alternative method of providing a keying means is to form a textured surface.

When the cast insert is to be used the casting process comprises the following steps: First a standard kit sleeve is placed over the leg and foot of the patient, the leg and foot are then wrapped with normal cast padding material such as lint, a preformed foot insert is placed over the patient's foot, the leg and foot are wrapped with normal fibre glass or plaster cast material, the foot and leg are kept aligned until the material cures.

If desired some cushioning of the sole of the foot can be provided by moulding the sole of a variable density material, or the cushioning could be provided by bonding together various pieces or layers of materials having different properties as desired in the different parts of the insert Any cushioning used, needs to be incorporated in a way that it does not detract from the cast giving the support necessary to protect the injury, or from keeping the limbs in their proper alignment.

It will be appreciated that the cast inserts must be provided for left and right feet and in a series of appropriate sizes to fit patient's feet. The appropriate size and foot will of course be selected.

Use of such a cast insert will reduce or eliminate the chances of a cast foot being broken or damaged through normal use. The insert will provide increased comfort and mobility of the cast wearer and reduce the chances of the cast fitting the wearer's foot incorrectly. The insert will also reduce loss of muscle tone and change of muscle balance which often occurs when a cast is worn.

As a result of these advantages medical costs will also be reduced by reducing cast repair or replacement due to breakage or poor fit, reducing recovery time and related physical therapy costs and also reducing the chances of secondary injury.

Claims

1. A preformed cast insert for use with a walking cast comprising a shaped sole provided with reinforcement means which extend over the user's foot.

2.# A preformed cast insert as claimed in claim 1 in which said reinforcement means are provided by a hoop which extends from one side of the sole to the other and between which the user's foot is located when in use.

3. A preformed cast insert as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 in which the sole is provided with a heel cup and arch support.

4. A preformed cast insert as claimed in claim 1, claim 2 or claim 3 in which the sole is provided with a toe pad and/or cup.

5. A preformed cast insert as claimed in claim 1, claim 2, claim 3 or claim 4 in which the lower surface of the sole has a convex surface to provide a "rocker".

6. A preformed cast insert as claimed in claims 1 to 5 in which the sole and/or reinforcement means are provided with apertures.

7. A preformed cast insert as claimed in claims 1 to 6 in which the outer surfaces of the sole and/or reinforcement means are provided with means for keying it to the cast material with which it is to be used.

8. A preformed cast insert as claimed in claim 7 in which the keying means are provided by a textured surface.

9. A preformed cast insert as claimed in claim 7 in which the keying means are provided by projecting bosses, studs, spikes or other projections.

10. A preformed cast insert as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the sole is moulded of a variable density material, or comprises a number of different pieces or layers of material of different densities connected together.

11. A preformed cast insert substantially as described herein with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

12. A walking cast embodying a cast insert as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.

13. A method of making a walking cast which includes wrapping the leg and/or foot of a patient with a normal cast padding material, placing a preformed cast insert as claimed in any one of the preceding claims on the user s foot, wrapping the leg and/or foot with normal cast material, and aligning the foot and leg until the material cures with the insert in place.