Method of forming an orthopedic cast

A method of forming an orthopedic cast around a limb, which method comprises

• (A) placing around the limb an orthopedic cast which is preshaped and sufficiently oversize to allow it to be placed around the limb which has a closed cross-section, and which comprises a heat-recoverable main member, said main member comprising
• (a) an elastically deformed support, and
• (b) a solid casting composition which comprises a casting polymer having a transition point T.sub.s, which is at least 40.degree. C. and no more than 85.degree. C. which contacts the support, and which maintains the support in an elastically deformed condition;
• (B) heating the orthopedic cast so as to heat the casting composition to a temperature above T.sub.s, thereby softening the casting composition and causing recovery of the heat-recoverable member towards the limb as a result of elastic recovery of the support;
• and
• (C) subjecting a flexible reinforcing component on at least part of the main member to a treatment which reduces its flexibility, said treatment being carried out during step (B), or after step (B), or both.

A method of forming an orthopedic cast around a limb of a patient, said method comprising

• (A) placing around the limb a heat-shrinkable orthopedic cast which is preshaped and sufficiently oversize to allow it to be placed around the limb, and which comprises
• (1) a fabric support which
• (a) is in an elastically stretched condition, and
• (b) comprises elastic fibers which are
• (i) composed of an elastomeric material and
• (ii) elastically stretched;
• and
• (2) a solid casting composition which
• (a) comprises a crystalline polymer having a crystalline melting point T.sub.m which is at least 40.degree. C. and no more than 60.degree.,
• (b) contacts the fabric support and maintains it in its elastically stretched condition, and
• (c) when the cast is heated to a temperature above T.sub.m after the cast has been placed around a limb of a patient, softens into an amorphous state and permits shrinkage of the cast towards the limb without exposing the patient to a temperature which cannot be safely tolerated by the patient;
• and
• (B) heating the orthopedic cast so as to heat the casting composition to a temperature above T.sub.m, thereby softening the casting composition and causing shrinkage of the heat-shrinkable cast towards the limb, at least some of the shrinkage of the cast being provided by elastic shrinkage of the elastically stretched fibers of the fabric support.

A method of forming an orthopedic cast around a limb of a patient, said method comprising

• (A) placing around the limb a heat-shrinkable orthopedic cast which is preshaped and sufficiently oversize to allow it to be placed around the limb, and which comprises
• (1) a heat-shrinkable main member which comprises
• (a) a fabric support which
• (i) is in an elastically stretched condition, and
• (ii) comprises elastic fibers which are composed of an elastomeric material and are elastically stretched, and
• (b) a solid casting composition which (i) comprises a crystalline casting polymer having a crystalline melting point T.sub.m, of 400.degree. to 85.degree. C., and (ii) contacts the support and maintains it in its elastically stretched condition, and
• (2) a liner which comprises padding material and is secured to the inside of the main member;
• and
• (B) heating the orthopedic cast so as to heat the casting composition to a temperature above T.sub.m, thereby softening the casting composition and causing shrinkage of the heat-shrinkable cast towards the limb, at least some of the shrinkage of the cast being provided by elastic shrinkage of the elastically stretched fibers.