VERSATILE HARDENABLE CAST OR SUPPORT

摘要

A cast or support for use in limiting movement of the anatomy to promote healing of an injured body part includes initially flexible and subsequently rigid double-knit material, or other casting blanks. There is a water-hardenable material impregnated into the casting blank. Certain areas of the blank have significantly reduced or no hardenable material. This construction may provide at least one hinge line which extends substantially across the double-knit material or other casting blank where said upper and lower layers are held in engagement with each other. The cast or support may be folded open along the hinge line to permit washing, inspection, or treatment of the portion of the anatomy to which said cast or support is applied or as one step in the preparation of a mold of a portion of the anatomy. More than one hinge line may be provided. Overlapping edges of the blank may also be of reduced thickness and with reduced hardening material to provide a smooth overlap to secure the cast or support in place.