US 6,974,431 B2 · Apparatus and method for applying a total contact cast

Abstract

An improved apparatus and method for applying a total contact cast to a patient utilizes a kit of pre-packaged materials containing all of the items necessary. A uniquely designed padding strip pads the bony prominence on either side of the ankle, the top metatarsal area, and the crest of the shinbone in one unitary piece. Special cuts in the padding strip allow it to conform tightly to the bend between the foot and lower leg. The special cuts also allow the connected circular or elliptical flaps to also conform easily to the bony prominence of the ankle. Positioning the padding strip is simpler, easier, faster, and provides greater structural integrity to the overall cast. The unitary design helps prevent the padding strip from shifting when the cast is complete. An enlarged base portion of the walking heel eliminates the need for a separate wood platform for support.

Claims26

Dependent claims

In a method for applying a total contact cast to a patient, the method comprising applying a wound patch to a foot wound of the patient, positioning a sock over a foot and a lower leg of the patient, positioning a foam padding over a plurality of toes of the patient, positioning a cast padding over the lower leg, applying a casting tape over the foot and the lower leg, and securing a wood platform and a walking heel on the plantar surface, wherein the improvement comprises the steps of:

(a) positioning a proximal end of a padding strip over an anterior crest of a tibia over the sock on the lower leg;
(b) positioning a distal end of said padding strip over a top metatarsal area over the sock on the foot;
(c) positioning a first flap adjacent to said distal end and located on a first edge of said padding strip over a medial malleoli over the sock on the foot;
and
(d) positioning a second flap adjacent to said distal end and located on a second edge of said padding strip and aligned opposite with said first flap over a lateral malleoli over the sock on the foot.

2 more elements

In a method for applying a total contact cast to a patient, the method comprising applying a wound patch to a foot wound of the patient, positioning a sock over a foot and a lower leg of the patient, positioning a padding strip over an anterior crest of a tibia and a top metatarsal area of the patient, positioning a first circular pad and a second circular pad over a medial malleoli and lateral malleoli respectively of the patient, positioning a foam padding over a plurality of toes of the patient, positioning a cast padding over the lower leg, and applying a casting tape over the foot and the lower leg, wherein the improvement comprises the steps of:

(a) positioning a base portion of a walking heel on a plantar surface;
and
(b) securing said walking heel having said base portion with the casting tape to said plantar surface,
wherein said base portion increases a surface area of said walking heel in contact with said plantar surface, preventing said walking heel from penetrating the total contact cast.

1 more element

In a method for applying a total contact cast to a patient, the method comprising applying a wound patch to a foot wound of the patient, positioning a sock over the foot and the lower leg of the patient, positioning a foam padding over a plurality of toes of the patient, positioning a cast padding over the lower leg, and applying a casting tape over the foot and the lower leg, wherein the improvement comprises the steps of:

(a) positioning a proximal end of a padding strip over an anterior crest of a tibia over the sock on the lower leg;
(b) positioning a distal end of said padding strip over a top metatarsal area over the sock on the foot;
(c) positioning a first flap adjacent to said distal end and located on a first edge of said padding strip over a medial malleoli over the sock on the foot;
(d) positioning a second flap adjacent to said distal end and located on a second edge of said padding strip and aligned opposite with said first flap over a lateral malleoli over the sock on the foot;
(e) positioning a base portion of a walking heel on a plantar surface;
and
(f) securing said walking heel having said base portion with the casting tape to said plantar surface,
wherein said base portion increases a surface area of said walking heel in contact with said plantar surface, preventing said walking heel from penetrating the total contact cast.

5 more elements

A total contact cast having a wound patch applied to a foot wound of a patient, a sock positioned over a foot and a lower leg of the patient, a foam padding positioned over a plurality of toes of the patient, a cast padding positioned over the lower leg, and a casting tape applied over the foot and the lower leg securing a wood platform and a walking heel on the plantar surface, wherein the improvement comprises:

a padding strip having proximal and distal ends, said padding strip further comprising:
a first flap adjacent to said distal end and located on a first edge of said padding strip;
and
a second flap adjacent to said distal end and located on a second edge of said padding strip and aligned opposite with said first flap,
wherein said padding strip is positioned over the sock on the patient, said proximal end of said padding strip is positioned over an anterior crest of a tibia, said distal end of said padding strip is positioned over a top metatarsal area, and said first and second flaps are positioned over a medial malleoli and a lateral malleoli respectively.

2 more elements

A total contact cast having a wound patch applied to a foot wound of a patient, a sock positioned over a foot and a lower leg of the patient, a padding strip positioned over an anterior crest of a tibia and a top metatarsal area of the patient, a first circular pad and a second circular pad positioned over a medial and lateral malleoli respectively of the patient, a foam padding positioned over a plurality of toes of the patient, a cast padding positioned over the lower leg, and a casting tape applied over the foot and the lower leg, wherein the improvement comprises:

a walking heel having a base portion,
wherein said base portion of said walking heel is positioned on a plantar surface and secured with the casting tape, and further wherein said base portion increases a surface area of said walking heel in contact with said plantar surface, preventing said walking heel from penetrating the total contact cast.

a padding strip having proximal and distal ends, said padding strip further comprising:
a first flap adjacent to said distal end and located on a first edge of said padding strip;
a second flap adjacent to said distal end and located on a second edge of said padding strip and aligned opposite with said first flap;
and
a walking heel having a base portion;
wherein said padding strip is positioned over the sock on the patient, said proximal end of said padding strip is positioned over an anterior crest of a tibia, said distal end of said padding strip is positioned over a top metatarsal area, and said first and second flaps are positioned over a medial malleoli and a lateral malleoli respectively, and
wherein said base portion of said walking heel is positioned on a plantar surface and secured with the casting tape, and further wherein said base portion increases a surface area of said walking heel in contact with said plantar surface, preventing said walking heel from penetrating the total contact cast.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Apparatus and method for applying a total contact cast

Life of this patent

Apparatus and method for applying a total contact cast

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims26