Total Contact Casting
Injuries to the feet can be challenging to heal, particularly because every step exerts pressure on the affected area, potentially worsening the wound and surrounding skin. Total contact casting, also known as off-loading, is a treatment designed to alleviate weight and pressure from the foot, aiding in the healing process of foot wounds. Healing Touch WoundCare is your premier choice for wound care; we provide a range of advanced and holistic treatments to ensure lasting relief. Total contact casting can offer your feet the necessary rest for healing while reducing the risk of infection.
What Is Total Contact Casting?
A total contact cast is a specialized cast used to treat foot ulcers, which can be challenging to heal when pressure is continually applied to the affected area. This cast is designed to evenly distribute your weight across the sole of your foot, thereby relieving pressure from the ulcer. Typically made from fiberglass or a plastic shell with a supportive bar along the bottom, the cast is custom-fitted around the leg and foot and secured firmly in place.
Benefits of Total Contact Casting
Total contact casting is effective in protecting the skin on your foot. A layer of soft foam beneath the cast prevents pressure on the sore, promoting faster healing. With reduced pressure, most ulcers can heal within 6 to 8 weeks when using a total contact cast.
Who Is a Candidate for Total Contact Casting?
Total contact casting is particularly beneficial for individuals with diabetes who have foot ulcers that are slow to heal. Diabetes can lead to complications such as reduced sensation in the feet, making it difficult to detect blisters or sores and allowing them to deteriorate rapidly. Minor sores can also worsen and develop into ulcers.
Diabetic foot ulcers are a major contributor to lower leg amputations in people with diabetes, with nearly 85% of amputations being preceded by these ulcers. Total contact casting can aid in alleviating these ulcers and significantly reduce the risk of amputation.
Why Choose Healing Touch WoundCare?
The Healing Touch WoundCare team is one of the few practices to offer specialized care for atypical wounds. Our staff can evaluate your wound to determine if it is atypical and provide comprehensive care solutions. We offer a wide range of therapies that can be used independently or in combination.
Our team of highly-trained providers will also teach you how to properly care for your wound at home. This includes demonstrating how to thoroughly clean the wound, protect healthy skin, and change dressings. If you think you may have an atypical wound, call Healing Touch WoundCare or book an appointment online today.
