Current Pedorthics | Vol. 44, Issue 2 | March-April 2012 | Page 19

Plaster Casting
the foot . It is best not to take impressions on tiled floors as the box may slide halfway through the process . A good , controlled cast will not crack or split the foam around the perimeter .
Impression foam is the method of choice when you are making accommodative foot moulds . These orthotics are often designed to alleviate pain in a specific area of the foot . A semi-weight-bearing , or even a weightbearing cast , may often capture better the location of a bony prominence , callous or fibrous-tissue mass . Many practitioners use impression foam exclusively when dealing with restless patients ( e . g ., young children or people with certain disabilities ).
Shipping
Once the cast is complete , it is important to take a little time and care with the shipping . Plaster casts should be left out to cure and dry for 24 hours before being sent off . Otherwise , they will tend to flatten , and even dampen and potentially damage the shipping box . Although some impression foam is sold in cartons that are ready-to-ship , we recommend that you send them inside another box for better protection . On occasion , if the carrier service is having a rough day , all that may arrive at the lab is a forensic jigsaw puzzle !
Scanners
Impression Foam
Can be a little messy Clean Clean
Takes approximately 15 minutes
Material cost $ 1.50 - $ 2.50 / pair
Best method for capturing STJ neutral
Taken non-weight bearing
Takes approximately 1 minute
Material cost $ 4 - $ 6 / pair
Good method for accommodative devices
Taken semi- and fullweight bearing
One of the more obvious changes in the broader field of orthotics and prosthetics is the adoption of scanners . The recent proliferation of systems indicates a clear shift toward digital casting . Although available for some time , scanners are now becoming more widespread , possibly due to a combination of lower cost and increased practitioner trust .
There are several advantages to using scanners :
Scanning
Takes less than 1 minute
Costs can be payper-click ; up-front equipment purchase ; or some combination
Neutral position image for functional and accommodative
Non-weight bearing
• a reduction in the time , cost and mess associated with traditional casting ;

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Current Pedorthics March | April 2012 17