How Do Aircasts Work?
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Basics
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Aircasts are used for treatment of sprains, ligament damage, fractures, knee injuries and elbow injuries. They work similarly to hard, or plaster, casts, by immobilizing the injured area, so it has time to heal and further injury is prevented. They are made of both soft and hard plastic and take little time to set up. They are light weight, and because they are made of plastic, they are also resistant to damage. They are also reusable as well.
Injury Effects
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The injury is immobilized by air compartments. They are inflated around the injury until firm, so the hurt area cannot move. This system is also a better choice when injuries are not too severe because they can be removed by deflating the air compartments and unstrapping when the need arises, such as taking a shower, during sleep or changing clothing. With a plaster cast, these situations can sometimes prove difficult. Also, the aircast is resistant to water damage and can be worn in the shower.
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Set-Up
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The cast has two flexible plastic sections that the air compartments are attached to. These are placed on either side of the injury and held in place with Velcro strips that wrap around both sections. For a foot cast, there is also a hard plastic section that goes under the sole of the foot. The air compartments are then inflated to the desired strength through valves on the sides. Once inflated, a hard plastic shell is strapped over to avoid damage to the injury or the air compartments.
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