Ipso Cast

Ralf Triebel has been wearing a lower leg prosthesis for 20 years. He has tried numerous prosthetic sockets during this time. Only two fitted on the first try. One of them was based on the new plaster casting technique with the Ipso Cast.
 

You’ve tried plaster casting with the Ipso Cast. What do you think?

I’m really impressed by plaster casting with the Ipso Cast. The result is a socket that lets me walk really well – on stairs, slopes or up and down ramps.

What’s different compared to your previous experiences?

I’m familiar with vacuum and manual casting methods and all their variants. They usually require extensive reworking. With the Ipso Cast, on the other hand, the check socket fit me on the first try.

What exactly has improved in terms of walking?

With the new check socket, I don’t have any sensitivity to pressure at the end of the residual limb anymore. It feels like specific areas are adapted more precisely to the respective bony structures of my residual limb.

Are you going to have a socket modelled for yourself with the new technique?

Yes, I would like to be fitted with such a prosthetic socket! I am currently wearing a prosthetic socket with an inner socket only. With the Ipso Cast, I’d like to even walk without an inner socket in the future.

What are the benefits of the Ipso Cast?

Every O&P professional knows how challenging it is to take a plaster cast quickly and cleanly. With the Ipso Cast, you can produce a plaster cast easily and quickly under load. The device simulates the actual pressure distribution of a total surface weight-bearing socket. This means less reworking during the subsequent fabrication of a plaster model and the check socket.

Is working with the Ipso Cast complicated, and does it require a long training period?

The technician only requires a short period of training before preparing a plaster cast with the Ipso Cast. The process during plaster casting is very similar to conventional procedures. The subsequent process steps are the same as well. This makes it really easy to integrate the new plaster casting technique into my usual workflow.

What are the differences while taking the plaster cast compared to conventional casting methods?

The Ipso Cast supports me while taking a plaster cast. After all, I only have two hands, while the casting tube is everywhere on the residual limb at once. That makes full contact plaster casting possible. However, I can still apply additional pressure to specific areas during plaster casting in order to model them individually.

What do you find especially helpful when working with the Ipso Cast?

You can see the pressure conditions while taking the plaster cast by looking at the casting tube, depending on whether the spaces between the fibres are more opened or closed. Based on my experience, I can then make subsequent corrections to specific areas by using my hands a bit more.

• Time required for plaster modelling of a TT prosthetic socket is reduced
• Higher quality due to simulation of the pressure conditions in the subsequent prosthetic socket
• Detailed optimisation through direct interven-tion during plaster casting

The casting tube is passed around the appropriate retaining ring.

The required length of the casting tube can be determined while the patient is seated. The length can be fine-tuned by stepping into the Ipso Cast without plaster on a trial basis.

The plaster bandages are applied in the accustomed manner. Using a nylon stockinette or stretch film as the final layer has been shown to minimise soiling of the casting tube.

Step into the Ipso Cast

While the plaster is setting, the technician can still intervene for additional loading and modelling of specific areas.

The full weight can be placed on the side in the Ipso Cast while the plaster is setting.

Step out