Non-water-activated cast

A cast for a lower extremity of a patient to be treated, the cast comprising:

• at least two layers of sheet-like material, wherein the layers have a
• predetermined, combined flexibility selected to have the layers manually transformable from a first, pre-application configuration before fitting on the lower extremity, to a second, post-application configuration after the fitting on the lower extremity;
• wherein the first, pre-application configuration comprises a blank of the sheet-like material in a semi-rigid state extending transversely between opposite side edges by a first amount sufficient to substantially, circumferentially enclose the lower extremity of said patient by said patient manually urging said edges toward each other, the sheet-like material extending longitudinally between upper and lower ends by a second amount sufficient to locate the leg and the foot of the lower extremity at the upper and lower ends, respectively, after fitting on the lower extremity;
• wherein the second, post-application configuration is formed in response to manual force applied to the blank to bring the side edges relatively toward each other to define a volume into which the lower extremity is received and to define an inner surface to substantially contact opposing portions of the lower extremity when received therein;
• wherein the predetermined flexibility is selected to permit the inner surface of the cast to maintain the substantial contact with the lower extremity during walking on the lower extremity;
• and
• wherein the predetermined flexibility is selected to limit at least one of plantar flexion, dorsiflexion, eversion, and inversion of the ankle of the lower extremity by at least 50% compared to a corresponding, non-casted movement of said ankle.

An orthosis for a lower extremity to be treated, the orthosis comprising:

• a rigid frame having an inner surface;
• a cast comprising a plantar portion and a leg portion, the portions having respective outer surfaces;
• wherein the inner surface of the rigid frame engages at least one of the outer surfaces of the cast;
• wherein the cast is formed of at least two layers of sheet-like material, wherein the layers have a predetermined, combined flexibility selected to have the layers manually transformable from a first, pre-application configuration before fitting on the lower extremity, to a second, post-application configuration after the fitting on the lower extremity;
• wherein the first, pre-application configuration comprises a blank of the sheet-like material in a semi-rigid state extending transversely between opposite side edges by a first amount
• sufficient to substantially, circumferentially enclose the lower extremity after manipulation of the blank, the sheet-like material extending longitudinally between upper and lower ends by a second amount sufficient to locate the leg and the foot of the lower extremity at the upper and lower ends, respectively, after fitting on the lower extremity
• wherein the second, post-application configuration is formed in response to manual force applied to the blank to bring the side edges relatively toward each other to define a volume into which the lower extremity is received and to define an inner surface to substantially contact opposing portions of the lower extremity when received therein;
• wherein the predetermined flexibility is selected to permit the inner surface of the cast to maintain the substantial contact with the lower extremity during walking on the lower extremity;
• and
• wherein the predetermined flexibility is selected to limit at least one of plantar flexion, dorsiflexion, eversion, and inversion of the ankle of the lower extremity by at least 50% compared to a corresponding, non-casted movement of said ankle.

An orthosis for a lower extremity of a patient to be treated, the orthosis comprising:

• a rigid frame having an inner surface;
• a cast comprising a plantar portion and a leg portion, the portions having respective outer surfaces;
• wherein the inner surface of the rigid frame engages at least one of the outer surfaces of the cast;
• wherein the cast is formed of at least two layers of sheet-like material, wherein the layers have a predetermined, combined flexibility selected to have the layers manually transformable from a first, pre-application configuration before fitting on the lower extremity, to a second, post-application configuration after the fitting on the lower extremity;
• wherein the first, pre-application configuration comprises a blank of the sheet-like material in a semi-rigid state extending transversely between opposite side edges by a first amount
• sufficient to substantially, circumferentially enclose the lower extremity after manipulation of the blank, the sheet-like material extending longitudinally between upper and lower ends by a second amount sufficient to locate the leg and the foot of the lower extremity at the upper and lower ends, respectively, after fitting on the lower extremity
• wherein the second, post-application configuration is formed in response to manual force applied by said patient to the blank to bring the side edges relatively toward each other to define a volume into which the lower extremity is received and to define an inner surface to substantially contact opposing portions of the lower extremity when received therein;
• wherein the predetermined flexibility is selected to permit the inner surface of the cast to maintain the substantial contact with the lower extremity during walking on the lower extremity;
• and
• wherein the predetermined flexibility is selected to limit at least one of plantar flexion, dorsiflexion, eversion, and inversion of the ankle of the lower extremity by at least 50% compared to a corresponding, non-casted movement of said ankle.