Standard of Practice Tarsus Impressions

GATHER DOCUMENTS AND IMPRESSION MATERIALS:

⦁ Patient Information Document (included in kit or can be found on website)

⦁ Glad Press’n Seal plastic wrap (must use this for greatest success)

⦁ Cut strip (can substitute ¼” surgical tubing or drip line)

⦁ Hook blade (available at local hardware store)

⦁ Tape

⦁ Bandage scissors

⦁ Permanent marker

⦁ Gloves

⦁ Bowl of cold water

⦁ Fiberglass non-flexible casting tape:

⦁ Recommend 2” for Labrador size; 1.5” for smaller breeds.

⦁ Do not use larger than 2” except for equine size animals.

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS:

1) Positioning:

a. Patient is lateral/on their side.

b. Align limb in desired position/angle.

c. Ok to align limb for standing position or in a therapeutic alignment.

2) Waterproof barrier – use Glad Press’n Seal wrap (in place of stockingette).  Wrap the entire length of limb needed for impression.  When in doubt a longer impression is better.

3) Cut strip – Position cut strip with groove facing out from the top of the toes on up the leg towards torso.  Continue the cut strip upwards on the cranial/front of the tarsus joint

4) Prep fiberglass casting material – use cold water.  Don’t open casting material pouch until you’re ready to use it.

5) Apply fiberglass:

a. Start with a double wrap just above stifle joint.

b. Spiral wrap down towards the toes overlapping only ½ of the previous layer.

c. End by including entire paw (include toenails).

d. Do NOT wrap back up the limb.  We need a thin impression (unlike a cast) of the limb.

e. Cut off excess fiberglass material while it is wet.

6) Setting the impression:

a. Hold tarsus joint in alignment you want device to support your patient.

b. Position paw into normal standing alignment.

c. Massage the fiberglass material with your hands to achieve the following results:

i. Ensure the tape layers bond.

ii. Smooth out wrinkles and expose the contours and landmarks/anatomy of the limb.

7) Mark the impression – Use a permanent marker to identify landmarks:

a. Metatarsal heads (where paw hinges and meets rest of limb).

b. Malleoli/ankle bones.

c. Fibular head.

d. Tibial crest (attachment site for patella tendon).

e. Greater and lesser tibial tuberosities

f. Patient name and ‘Left’ or ‘Right’.

8) Remove impression – starting at the top/proximal edge, use bandage scissors to cut down to cut strip, then use hook blade utility knife and follow the cut strip groove.  Remove Press’n Seal with bandage scissors.

9) Tape impression back together – Immediately tape the cast back together using any tape available.

10) Ship impression to OrthoPets – Use sturdy box appropriately sized to fit impression without too little or excess space. Light padding material can be used.