Sports Medicine Physicians Differentiating Clinics With 3D Printed Casts
In sports medicine, the tools we use are constantly evolving, driven by the need to improve patients' quality of life. Traditional casts have been a staple in treating injuries, but as our understanding of biomechanics and material science advances, so do our methods. ActivArmor’s 3D printed sports casts represent a leap forward for patients and providers alike, offering waterproof, hygienic and fully customized orthoses tailored to each athlete’s needs.
For physical therapists and sports specialists, embracing cast innovations isn’t just about staying current, it’s about providing the best possible care and setting your clinics apart in a competitive landscape.
Evolution of Sports Casts
In the words of Stanford Medicine, a cast's primary role is “to prevent or decrease muscle contraction” and provide immobilization to keep a broken bone in place while it heals. Traditional sports casts made of plaster and fiberglass have long been the immobilization method of choice, but largely because the choices have been limited. Early casts came with many limitations, such as being bulky, uncomfortable and restrictive, limiting athletes’ ability to stay active as they heal.
From the very first splints to today’s traditional casts, each step forward has been about improving process and quality of life. This need for better outcomes and advanced options was what drove us to invent ActivArmor’s 3D printed casts.
Benefits of ActivArmor’s 3D Printed Sports Casts
ActivArmor’s 3D printed sports casts revolutionize injury management, overcoming the many limitations of traditional casts. They offer enhanced comfort, a custom fit and practical features that significantly improve athletes’ recovery. While ActivArmor orthoses have a wide range of benefits, their four most appealing features are their comfort, fit, lightweight design and customization options.
1. Comfort and Mobility
ActivArmor’s 3D printed sports casts are designed with this in mind. Our casts are lightweight, breathable and offer improved ventilation, significantly enhancing comfort and allowing athletes to move more freely while their injuries are protected. Unlike traditional casts that trap dirt and bacteria, ActivArmor’s hygienic design reduces the risk of infections, enabling athletes to stay active and mobile without worrying about compromising their recovery.
ActivArmor casts are waterproof allowing athletes to stay comfortable and mobile even while sweating or training during recovery. Whether they’re taking an ice bath on the sidelines, hopping in the shower or resting in a hot tub, they can keep up with their regular training and recovery routines without the hassles of traditional casts. With these features, ActivArmor is perfect for athletes who don’t want their recovery to slow them down.
2. Fit for Optimal Support
The precision of ActivArmor’s 3D printing technology allows for sports casts tailored to each patient’s anatomy. This high level of customization ensures a more accurate fit, reducing pressure points and minimizing skin irritation. More importantly for athletes, this tailored fit allows them to stay active throughout their recovery period. The ActivArmor cast can be easily adjusted, allowing for maintaining optimal support without the need for an entirely new cast. This flexibility ensures that athletes can continue their routines with the necessary protection and comfort.
3. Can Speed Healing/Rehabilitation (with Adaptations)
ActivArmor’s casts are designed to be lighter, easing the strain on the injured limb and accelerating the healing process. Our devices are compatible with advanced healing technologies such as bone and muscle stimulators, which can also improve recovery time. ActivArmor's design works well with TENS devices for pain management, helping athletes get back to their training routine more quickly than traditional casts without use of opioids or pain medications.
4. Customize Experience
Each ActivArmor cast is uniquely personalized to the patient’s anatomy, providing a tailored fit that’s both practical and visually attractive compared to traditional casts. Patients can also select from different color options, making the healing process more engaging. Additionally, providers have the option to include their practice’s branding on the cast, which can enhance patient satisfaction and promote your practice’s identity.
ActivArmor Sports Casts in Your Office
Integrating ActivArmor’s 3D printed sports casts into your practice offers a modern solution to traditional casting problems, providing your patients with a more comfortable, effective and engaging recovery experience.
