Making the Negative Cast

The number of sensors depends on the orthosis type. For the chosen example of a KAFO you need all three sensors (KAFO = red/yellow/green,
AFO = green/yellow, KO = yellow/red). The operator device offers different display, language, sound and saving options. You will find further information in the manual.

Set the h-Cast to the correct height to compensate the pitch of the shoe and a possible leg length discrepancy. Write down the height. It is important for further steps.

You need appropriate callipers to measure the joint widths. We also recommend to use a device for checking the line of gravity. Insulate the patient's leg with compression film in order to be able to attach the e-Cast sensors.

Connect the sensors to the operator device. Remove the protective foil on one side of the glue dots to attach them to the sensors' centre.

If the patient needs an orthotic fitting on both legs, proceed as follows: First, cast and insulate only one leg as the operator device cannot be connected to more than three sensors at a time. We recommend to use two sensor sets so that you can start with the second plaster impression immediately after finishing the
first one.

If the patient needs an insole, insert or inner boot to be able to stand on its own, you have two possibilities:
A) You have made this orthopaedic device beforehand. You now wrap it in compression film together with the leg.
B) You insulate the leg in the usual way. If necessary, you have to make a temporary replacement which you can use for the following steps.

Wrap the patient's leg loosely into compression film from distally to proximally. Then wrap it from proximally to distally under tension. While doing so, the patient should keep the leg extended as much as possible. Avoid furrows and do not let the film end in areas where you want to place markings or sensors later.

Feel the medial tibial plateau.
Note: it is easier to feel if you rotate and abduct the lower leg outwards while slightly flexing the knee. Like this, you open the medial tibial plateau which can now be felt easier. (For an AFO you can skip this and the following corresponding steps.)

Mark the felt medial tibial plateau.

You can find the position of the mechanical pivot point in the configuration result and mark it on the leg. Mark the y measurement by using the printed configuration result.

You can mark the position of the mechanical pivot point in ap direction with the callipers. Mark the x measurement by using the printed configuration result.

The mechanical pivot point can be transferred from the film to the negative cast by using the delivered self-adhesive washer. Later, it serves as guidance for the point of the alignment aid.

Feel the distal tip of the fibula and mark it.
Attention! Do not feel the tibia. Feel laterally. (For a KO you can skip this and the following corresponding steps.)

Place a washer on the mechanical pivot point. In ap direction, take the later run of the side bar as guidance. It should run through the centre of the ankle area.
Note: Shifting the pivot point backwards shortens the rear foot lever, extends the forefoot lever and vice versa.

Attach the sensors to the leg insulated with film (AFO = green/yellow, KO = red/yellow). Pay attention to the colour of the sensors (traffic light colours). Place the sensors anterolaterally on the leg so that you have enough room for the cutting aid and the e-Cast works optimally.
Attention! Do not attach the sensors to loose film pieces. If you only insulate the leg with a sock or oil, the e-Cast sensors do not stick optimally on the leg.

Put the prepared longuettes under the sensors for stabilisation purposes. For a positive fit between sensor and leg, it is necessary to fill out the space completely with plaster. Make sure not to push the sensors away from the leg because otherwise they do not stick optimally on the film.

Form the plaster and embed the sensors in it. Repeat this procedure for all required sensors.

Bring the patient's leg in a nearly horizontal position. Follow the instructions on the operator device's display.

In order to determine the patient's individual normal posture you have to decide on the normal posture in which you will place the patient on the h-Cast.
A – gait-related normal posture
The orthosis produced on the basis of the negative cast allows:

• an improved physiological gait in comparison with an orthosis based on normal posture B;
• a narrow base gait;
• a minimisation of the swaying around the sagittal axis when walking.

Choose normal posture A if the patient will use the orthosis primarily for walking. 

B – stance-related normal posture
The orthosis produced on the basis of the negative cast leads to:

• a higher stability when standing with both feet on the ground (not in stance phase during walking!);
• a deteriorated physiological gait in comparison with an orthosis based on normal posture A;
• a higher energy consumption during walking.

Choose normal posture B if the patient will use the orthosis primarily for making transfers and for standing.

In order to determine the patient’s individual normal posture (A or B), you should provide a supportive device (e.g. crutches). Adjust them correctly, so that your patient stands in an upright and vertical position. Check the posture.
Note: a forward bending leads to a shift of the body's centre of gravity, which results in an unsuitable orthosis design that may impair the orthosis function.

If you should provide a device (e.g. walker) with forearm support, here also make sure that the patient stands in an upright and vertical position. Check the posture.
Note: a forward bending leads to a shift of the body's centre of gravity, which results in an unsuitable orthosis design that may impair the orthosis function.

Place the patient in gait-related normal posture (A) or in stance-related normal posture (B) on the h-Cast. Make sure that the patient stands in an upright and vertical position. If the patient needs any devices, they have to be adjusted correctly.
Note: Use a plumb laser to evaluate the posture.

Check the stance from a lateral perspective as well. Make sure that the patient stands in an upright and vertical position. If the patient needs any devices, they have to be adjusted correctly. Save the individual normal posture with the operater device.

Place the cutting aid. Cast loosely over foot and ankle joint to the calf. At first, do not cast over the sensors. Then use only one layer of plaster to fix them and thus ensure an easy removal afterwards. Make sure the plaster is thick enough at the ankle area to secure the desired position of the ankle joint.

Bring the patient's foot again into the previously determined position of the ankle joint by using the h-Cast. Make sure that the external rotation is correct and adjust possible deviations in direction of supination or pronation.
Note: Shifting the foot with the h-Cast to the front or back changes the lower leg-foot-angle (plantar flexion and dorsiflexion).

The operator device indicates when the current position differs from the saved one. The dot on the display moves towards plantar flexion (P) or dorsiflexion (D) if the position differs into the corresponding direction. When the dot is in the middle, the position matches the saved one. If you have activated the display of pronation and supination in the menu Settings, you can reconstruct this position by shifting the knee in mediolateral direction.

Cast loosely to the desired height. If necessary, integrate a dorsal reinforcement. Minimise the number of layers over the sensor by leaving it out in the beginning. Bring the patient's knee again into the previously determined position of the knee joint.

The operator device indicates when the current position differs from the saved one. The dot moves towards extension (E) or flexion (F) if the position differs into the corresponding direction. When the dot is in the middle, the position matches the saved one. If you have activated the display of varus and valgus in the menu Settings, you can reconstruct this position.

Draw auxiliary lines and carefully remove the cutting aid.

Cut open the negative cast with plaster shears. Open the negative cast by using your fingers and not your thumbs, to avoid unnecessary deformations of the edges. Remove the negative cast from the patient's leg.

The cast surface is level on the inside and you can only see the glue dot from the sensor. Like this, you avoid that the cast loses its form.

The washer can clearly be seen in the cast. It marks the mechanical pivot point.

Join the cutting edges and check the position with the operator device. It indicates if the current position differs from the saved one. After possible corrections, the negative cast is finished in the desired position.