Welcome to the Podiatry Arena forums, for communication between foot health professionals about podiatry and related topics.
You are currently viewing our podiatry forum as a guest which gives you limited access to view all podiatry discussions and access our other features. By joining our free global community of Podiatrists and other interested foot health care professionals you will have access to post podiatry topics (answer and ask questions), communicate privately with other members (PM), upload content, view attachments, receive a weekly email update of new discussions, earn CPD points and access many other special features. Registered users do not get displayed the advertisments in posted messages. Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free so please, join our global Podiatry community today!
If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact contact us.
Today after a randon search on the internet I encountered a website were I saw a casting technique were theres is no need for plastic sheets, no hassle with plaster dust, or clogged drains, or plaster splashes on the couch and floor; and no more time spent wiping off your patients' feet and legs.They garantee:
•Efficient: The application is virtually foolproof. You spend less time holding the foot in position waiting for plaster to harden. The Slipper Sock achieves 90% strength in under 5-minutes, so you can ship the casts to the laboratory immediately.
•Accurate: Smooth application and excellent conformability provides for enhanced casting accuracy, without the compromises of other clean methods, such as impression boxes.
•Strong: No cast distortion on removal and no need to stuff them with paper to prevent damage during shipping. The cured Slipper Sock is virtually unbreakable!
Does anyone have any experience whid this technique? is it worth it?
I would like to hear your opinion, because I am very interested in using it. It would be a great help in my clinical practice.
Depending on which country, the cost of the STS sock is up to double that of the plaster, but as you pointed out, there is no mess to clean up afterwards .... so its a cost-benefit anaylsis of time saving vs more material cost.
There is an issue with them molding properly to the arch in the higher arched foot and do have a velcro like attachment to help, but it is (or was) still problematic. Apparently the company have improved this attachment thingy, but I have not yet seen it or tried it since the claimed improvement.
1 They are expensive compared to plaster
2 The time saved is in the clean-up not the application - it takes about as long as plaster to actually use
3 Im not convinced of their "accuracy". The dimensions such as heel width, arch width and height are different to POP casts
4 It doesnt give a smooth cast - the plastic bag that you put over the foot wrinkles and this indents onto the cast.
5 They do shed material as they dry so they are not totally free of dust
6 Patients however think it is modern or "up to date"
The same amount of time can be saved by asking patients to clean up at home or use another room for your next patient whilst they clean up.
The Following User Says Thank You to Lawrence Bevan For This Useful Post:
This is an excellent product, provided it used as per the instructions. Like any other product there is a learning curve before one become proficient in its use. Yes it is expensive, and the time saving is in the clean up, both your in your place of practice and the patient.
In repsonse to Craig Payne's response, yes, the sock is much better now.
Do you do home visits? A great tool in your bag of tricks while on your rounds.
Casper Ozinga
The Following User Says Thank You to caf002 For This Useful Post:
This is an excellent product, provided it used as per the instructions. Like any other product there is a learning curve before one become proficient in its use. Yes it is expensive, and the time saving is in the clean up, both your in your place of practice and the patient.
In repsonse to Craig Payne's response, yes, the sock is much better now.
Do you do home visits? A great tool in your bag of tricks while on your rounds.
Casper Ozinga
Do you find that most labs are happy to manufacture the orthotics from this casting technique? Who do you use?
There is an issue with them molding properly to the arch in the higher arched foot and do have a velcro like attachment to help, but it is (or was) still problematic. Apparently the company have improved this attachment thingy, but I have not yet seen it or tried it since the claimed improvement.
In response to several questions regarding the STS Slipper socks I thought I would introduce myself to the group. I was in private practice for 35 years before my associate and I decided to investigate casting materials and hopefully develop the manner and materials in which negative ifoot mpressions were obtained. This led us to the development of a company that now manufactures impressions materials for the Podiatric, O and P, Pedorthic, Chiropractic and PT professions. All of the casting materials that the STS company (Synethtic Tubular Sock) manufactures are either polyester or fiberglass socks that are impregnated with water curable resins.
Now to the questions reqarding the STS Slipper Sock. We introduced the slipper sock in 2005. Please understand that my perspective is from one of the founders of the company and therefore may be somewhat biased. The Slipper socks are made with polyester yarn and impregnated with an extra fast set polyurethane resin. The set time on the resin is 2 minutes and therefore you should be prepared for a quick set up. If the cured sock is removed before the resin is cured the cast can be deformed. When we first introduced the socks we noted that the plantar arch contours were not as accurate as we would have hoped. We therefore used a very aggresive Velcro strip to assist in lifting the material onto the plantar anatomy. We provided this for several years but still noted a 1-2mm. gap between the material and the plantar surface. This fiding was also noted in a paper presented at the 2004 PFOLA meeting by Kathleen Halat, DPM in which she compared the STS Ankle Sock with POP. Although not the same style sock the issue of plantar contouring was discussed. As a response to the issue of accuracy we developed a Slipper Clip unit that is comprised of two clips connected by rubber tubing that if used properly yields an extremely accurate cast even with the Pes Cavus foot type. The STS Slipper Sock can be used semi weight bearing or neutral suspension technique in either the prone or supine position.
The cost factor is always discussed and from my perspective the practitioner must consider factors such as casting time, clean up time, material cost and patient clean up time. I discussed these issues at a recent Langer Biomechanics meeting where we I presented the actual cost factors of using both the STS sock and Plaster. A practitioner must determine what his time or his staff's time is worth but if we look at all factors in comparing costs (labor, casting, cleanup and material) the STS casting product is actually more cost effecient. I would be more then happy to share the details and the cost breakdown.
A few hints on using the STS slipper sock for first time users:
1. Use cool water at first. Warm water can speed the cast time to 1 1/2 minutes.
2. Protect your exam table from the resin (cover with a plastic sheet)
3. Always use the slipper clip as it will insure accuracy of the anatomy. (listen to the audio/visual instructions on our website www.stssox.com)(slipper sock page)
4. Always use a scrub shirt, roll up your sleeves and be careful not to get the resin on your clothing....It doesn't come off.
5. Always use the plastic bag that is provided to cover the foot. It does not deform the impression as stated in someone's comments.
6. Always wear examining gloves during casting.
If any practitioner needs any further hints please feel free to contact me.
Richard Stess, DPM
President
STS Company
Last edited by Admin : 2nd July 2009 at 02:31 PM.
Reason: removed check4spam message
At a trade show meeting earlier this year Mr. Stess casted a friend of mine and I was very impressed. Not only was it faster than the plaster splint castings, it left no clean up!!! No sink required..
If you are interested in a sample to try out just visit the website and pass along a note...
I have some samples here that I am willing to pass on at no cost
Regards
Casper Ozinga
Casper is it possible to send my way some of those samples?
I would really like to try this technique and here in Portugal i cant find it anywere...
André Ferreira
I have received a number of questions regarding the use of the STS Slipper Sock for casting of the foot for custom foot orthotic devices. For those who are interested I just had the PowerPoint presentation of the correct application of the slipper sock utilizing the "Slipper Clip" uploaded to Youtube.com. If used properly the Slipper Clip will improve the arch molding particularly in Pes Cavus foot types. The other question I often respond to is if the slipper sock can be used in semi weight bearing position. The answer is yes but the practitioner must remember to place the foot on a plastic covered casting board or plastic covered foam block.
Sincerely,
Richard Stess, DPM
Chief...Retired
Veteran Administration Medical Center
San Francisco, CA USA
Just my own personal, experiential perspective, as I've used STS casting materials in a variety of different lengths.
Set-up time is close to the same as plaster, and we did not find it particularly more practical than our traditional methods. The result of the cast can be excellent, but we found some of our practitioners had difficulties with the speed with which the STS set.
I feel there is no better method for AFO casts. In both 90-degree and canted casting board positions, these are far faster and cleaner to work with. They also provide an easier casting environment for patients. This material is also exceptional for custom molded shoe casts.
My own experiential caveat is when working with patients possessing spastic equines or dropfoot. I get universally superior results for that patient group with the extra time and patience that comes from plaster.
__________________ Jeremy Long C Ped
Smoky Mountain Foot Clinic
We currently employ two types of water curable polyurethane resins on our casting socks. We employ a 3 minute set resin on our Ankle, Mid-leg and Bermuda casting socks. We impregnate a 2 minute extra fast set resin on our slipper casting socks. The speed of the set time is influenced by the temperature of the water as well as the amount of water that you use to moisten the casting sock. If you desire to increase the set time of the resin utilize warmer water as well as the amount of water that you employ during moistening. Conversely, if you desire a slower set use cooler water and use less. I personally do a great deal of casting for both foot orthotic devices and AFO's at trade shows and workshops and use mainly cool water. In an office situation in which you have access to warmer water you can obtain an effective mold in about 1 1/2 minute. You must also factor in the time of clean up and preparation either by you or your staff. I have performed time motion studies for both plaster and the STS casting material and can report that when personnel times are factored into the equation the STS material is actually less expensive.
Best regards,
Richard
Richard Stess, DPM
Retired
VAMC, San Francisco
I wanted to inform the membership that I just placed the application of the STS Ankle/Mid-Leg casting socks on www.Youtube.com. This video demonstration should help those practitioners desiring to use the STS casting products for obtaining negative impressions for custom shoes, skates, boots or AFO's (Richie Braces, Arizona type braces, posterior leaf spring, solid ankle or CROW's. There are some useful hints on the video that will assist practitioners in obtaining impressions.
Regards,
Richard
Richard Stess, DPM
Chief, Retired
VAMC, San Francisco, CA
Slipper Casting Sock
Linear Mode
