SUSPENSION TECHNIQUE STEPS

Question 1

what are the steps for the suspension technique?

Answer 1

positioning the patient 
plaster preparation 
applying plaster
positioning foot
loading lateral column
removing cast

Question 2

what is the purpose of the suspension technique?

Answer 2

casting of orthotics

Question 3

for positioning the patient what muscle can the patients fire to assist in the technique, this causes supination of?

this also dorsiflexes?

Answer 3

anterior tibialis m
MTJ

dorsiflex hallux plantar flexing the first ray

Question 4

what are the steps in plaster preparation?

Answer 4

fill bowl with water, cold=slower, hot=faster

fold splinter in half, 15 inches in length
-5x30 splints, 2 total for each foot

submerge the splints

remove splint from water and squeeze plaster together

Question 5

how do we apply the plaster?

Answer 5

apply the 1st splint around the heel

fold lateral side of splint over the plantar surface

fold medial side of splint over the plantar surface and lateral splint

tuck the plaster toward the poster surface of the heel

prepare the wet 2nd splint and place around the anterior portion of the foot

dorsiflex the forefoot to resistance while applying anterior splint

dont place any plaster on the dorsal of metatarsal head 3-5

Question 6

main points for positioning the foot?

Answer 6

place ulnar surface of thumb in sulcus of 4th and 5th toes (locking MTJ)

position the base of forefinger over dorsum of 4th and 5th toes

rotate hand away form the dorsum of the foot which plantar flexes 4th and 5th toes until they are neither dorsiflexed or plantar flexed
-thenar eminence

position the hand and forearm parallel to the plantar plane of the forefoot

Question 7

main points of loading lateral column?

Answer 7

apply a lifting force to the foot

forefoot should now be everted

place and hold STJ in neutral position

place the thumb and forefinger either anterior or posterior to malleoli just at the bases and palpate for congruency of the talus in ankle mortise

Question 8

how do we remove the cast?

Answer 8

pinch skin of foot on the dorsum so plaster pulls away from it

grasp heel at posterior surface and guide cast down and away from the heel

pull cast forward