Cast pressure relieving system

A system for mitigating pressure sores in a patient subjected to cast immobilization, the system comprising:

• a bladder configured to form a protective air pocket around a body region of the patient within a cast structure;
• a plurality of pressure sensors embedded within or adjacent to the inflatable bladder, the plurality of pressure sensors configured to detect pressure levels between the patient's skin and the cast structure;
• and
• a control unit in communication with the plurality of pressure sensors, the control unit configured to receive pressure data from the plurality of pressure sensors, compare the pressure data to a predetermined pressure threshold and generate an alert when the pressure data exceeds the predetermined pressure threshold.

A method for mitigating pressure sores during cast immobilization of a patient, comprising the acts of:

• securing an inflatable bladder to a skin surface of a body region of the patient using at least one adhesive wing;
• inflating the inflatable bladder with a fluid medium to create an expanded configuration during a casting procedure;
• applying cast material that cures to achieve structural rigidity around the inflatable bladder in the expanded configuration;
• allowing the cast material to cure and achieve structural rigidity;
• and
• deflating the inflatable bladder after the cast material has cured, thereby creating a persistent air pocket between a rigid cast structure and the skin surface.