Hello once again!
This week was very hectic as I got my first chance to
actually work on some orthotics and prosthetics. I made my first pair of sports
orthotics from hardened plastic. First, I used the cast of the foot taken from
the prior consultation holstering it to a post. Using the oven, you first heat
the plastic so that is pliable. The plastic heated to 400 F is then draped over
the molded foot, you must quickly tighten the plastic before it re-hardens to
make a tight hold. You then blow air through to both cool and keep the plastic
off of the mold. Finally you must cut it off of the mold with a type of saw
that vibrates at a very high frequency. This cut out is then ground down until
it is smoothed out and comfortable to be used as an insole. This particular
insole also had a hole in the heel to provide relief so it was a little bit
more complicated than the average one.
I was also allowed to work on one of the prosthetic sockets
filling the socket with alginate first which provides a highly detailed copy of
the original socket. Alginate is a type of gelatinous fluid that hardens in air
after being in contact with water. It is often used in Hollywood masks because
of the highly detailed copy that it can make. Even as the alginate has cured it
is not really too hard, and is easily used to make another cast which we then
manipulated. The main reason we did this was to have a copy of the previous
hard plastic socket so that we could make a carbon fiber more permanent
version. Because the sockets change size constantly it is easier initially to
use plastic as the socket material then shift to the carbon fiber after several
plastic sockets.
Overall it was a very eventful week! I learned from my
mistakes and although it took me two attempts to properly lay the plastic on
the molds, I was successful in making a pair of sports orthotics! Despite that
I have seen some of the same patients as they have come in for new adjustments
because of pain which limits their movement and then leave able to walk again
with such minor adjustments.
I will see you next week!
Wow! This is amazing work! What would you say is the hardest part of making your first pair of sports orthotics?
ReplyDeleteSo cool - what a great experience! Who is typically in charge of laying the plaster/creating the molds? Do doctors perform this work themselves or is it outsourced to a technician or other specialist?
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a fun process, a sort of adult silly putty. Do you have any idea what Alginate is made of?
ReplyDeleteHi! Sounds like you are having a great experience! I was just wondering what exactly is the difference between orthotics and prosthetics?
ReplyDeleteWow keep up the good work Sebastian! That is so cool that you are actually helping make the molds!
ReplyDeleteWow keep up the good work Sebastian! That is so cool that you are actually helping make the molds!
ReplyDeleteHi Sebastien! Is it common for patients to come back with an appointment with pain complaints? Your week sounds very interesting. You must be very excited with the exposure you are receiving!
ReplyDelete