Cryogenic thermoplastic sheets in orthopedics

In orthopedics, we can correct and fix common fractures, ligament injuries, tendon injuries, and scar contractures, as well as post-operative fixation of scoliosis and post-operative fixation of fractures with the help of low-temperature thermoplastic sheets. The low-temperature thermoplastic lumber is a new synthetic plastic with the chemical name of trans-polyisoprene. With its advanced technology, ease of use and reliable performance, cryogenic thermoplastic sheets are widely used in medical and orthopedic fields, mainly for external fixation and rehabilitation as an aid to treatment. The characteristics of cryogenic thermoplastic sheets are: Plasticity: The heated cryogenic thermoplastic sheet material can be shaped according to the patient’s needs and the shape designed by the operator. Temperature: Cryogenic thermoplastic sheet material is a low temperature thermoplastic material, and its properties can be activated when heated to 65-80 degrees. At this time it only changes the morphological structure, and no chemical reaction occurs. Therefore, it is non-toxic and odorless. The material itself is not very hot after heating, so it will not burn the patient’s skin and is easy to operate. Extensibility: When the cryogenic thermoplastic sheet is activated, it can be stretched and extended without retracting after cooling. If the surgeon is not satisfied with the shape of the support or needs to change the shape of the support after shaping, the material can be reheated and the heated material can quickly return to its original shape and be shaped again. Light transmittance: X-rays can penetrate, so when patients need radiological examination, they can take pictures without removing the support. Breathability: The cryogenic thermoplastic sheet material has holes on the surface, so it is breathable and can be opened in the desired area. Adhesiveness: The cryogenic thermoplastic sheet material has a certain degree of adhesiveness when activated by heat. We can make full use of this feature to shape the support as a whole. After the material has dried, its surface can be heated with a heat gun to directly bond the Velcro. The heated material can be used as an adhesive to bond the desired accessory. When the brace encounters damage, such as cracks, the damaged area can be heated with a heat gun to promote recovery of the brace, which is very strong. Case 1, patient with interrupted left tibiofibular fracture, postoperative external fixation brace fixation, common peroneal nerve injury: Case 2, patient with left lateral thumb injury, unable to abduct the thumb and slight fracture of the distal ulna For this patient, the main function of the low-temperature thermoplastic plate orthosis is to hold the thumb in the external position and fix the wrist joint in the rest position Case 3, patient with right supracondylar humerus fracture For this patient’s age and condition. The orthosis is used to stabilize the fracture site and provide functional activity, which is conducive to the contact of the fracture section and promotes more bone scab production. However, prolonged stabilization and braking of the upper and lower joints of the fracture site is detrimental to bone healing. When the joint contracture is severe, the affected limb can be immobilized with an orthosis during the interval between treatments to reduce the elastic retraction of fibrous tissue in order to maintain the treatment effect. As the ROM of the joint improves, the orthotic is adjusted accordingly, and the properties of the low-temperature thermoplastic plates facilitate the adjustment of the orthotic for our patients’ later follow-up work. We mainly use low-temperature thermoplastic sheet material in the orthopedic field not only because of its characteristic advantages, but also according to the patient’s condition, it can be done directly for the patient in the ward, and the whole production time is about 30 minutes, which provides timely demand for the patient’s condition. And after the patient’s post-operative plaster fixation stabilization period can be replaced with low-temperature thermoplastic sheet material, which is breathable and does not corrode the skin like plaster, and because of its light-transmitting characteristics when the patient does a review of the film, you can do the examination without removing the orthosis.