Safety and Efficacy of Casting During COVID-19 Pandemic: A Comparison of the Mechanical Properties of Polymers Used for 3D Printing to Conventional Materials Used for the Generation of Orthopaedic Orthoses

Document Type : SHORT COMMUNICATION

Authors

1 Orthopedic Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran Hand Surgery Division, Rothman Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

2 Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA 3 Chief of Hand Surgery Division, Rothman Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

3 Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA 4 Rothman Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

4 Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA Hand Surgery Division, Rothman Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

Abstract

To reduce the risk of spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), the emerging protocols are advising for less physicianpatient
contact, shortening the contact time, and keeping a safe distance. It is recommended that unnecessary casting
be avoided in the events that alternative methods can be applied such as in stable ankle fractures, and hindfoot/
midfoot/forefoot injuries. Fiberglass casts are suboptimal because they require a follow up for cast removal while a
conventional plaster cast is amenable to self-removal by submerging in water and cutting the cotton bandages with
scissors. At present, only fiberglass casts are widely available to allow waterproof casting. To reduce the contact time
during casting, a custom-made 3D printed casts/splints can be ordered remotely which reduces the number of visits
and shortens the contact time while it allows for self-removal by the patient. The cast is printed after the limb is 3D
scanned in 5-10 seconds using the commercially available 3D scanners. In contrast to the conventional casting, a 3D
printed cast/splint is washable which is an advantage during an infectious crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
Level of evidence: V

Keywords

References

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The Archives of Bone and Joint Surgery
Volume 8, Supplement 1
April 2020
Pages 281-285

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History

  • Receive Date: 10 November 2019
  • Revise Date: 06 April 2020
  • Accept Date: 06 April 2020

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