The newly launched Orfit Crystal NS is an innovative material that offers many benefits, such as complete transparency at room temperature and throughout the activation, moulding and hardening process. It also remains transparent on your patient’s limb!
Orfit Crystal NS also features enhanced flexibility and a non-stick coated surface with antibacterial properties.
Orfit Crystal NS can be used for:
Despite the big advantage of the non-stick coating, it does offer a challenge to adhere hook and loop straps to the Orfit Crystal surface. (Due to the superior non-stick coating, regular fixation of adhesive-backed hook tape is not possible).
That’s why we created this step-by-step tutorial on how to securely attach straps to Orfit Crystal NS.
To attach straps, you will need:
Mould the orthosis (in a circumferential manner) on the patient’s arm. Remove all excess material with the scissors.
Create a slit (narrow perforation) with a hole-chisel and a hammer through both sides of the orthosis. Mind the correct positioning of the straps to ensure a secure fit. Maintain sufficient distance from the edge of the orthosis to avoid tearing the material when fastening the hook and loop straps.
Prepare the required pieces of loop tape. Make sure they are long enough, as you will have to double them to fix them on to the hook tape. Pull the loop strap through one of the slits.
Pull the loop strap through the opposite slit.
Round the corners of a piece of self-adhesive or double-sided hook tape. Activate the glue with a heat gun and attach it onto the dorsal aspect (backside) of the loop strap.
Fit the orthosis on the patient and fasten the hook and loop straps. If the loop straps are too long, trim them to an appropriate length.
Written by Björn Le Roy, Occupational Therapist, BA
Björn was trained in orthotic fabrication by French Occupational Therapist, Jean Christophe Arias. In 2016, he began his Bachelor in Occupational Therapy which he successfully concluded in 2019.
Over the years, he has become an avid teacher of orthotic fabrication, giving numerous educational workshops across the world.