I also have a large (for out here in the cornfields) patient/client base
that has spina bifida. Those that have a reaction to latex and/or the
powdered latex have to be treated differently during the casting/fitting
periods.
Use non latex gloves for your “blood born pathogenes program” and don’t use
latex tubing for your cut strips when you are making impressions. Use
vinyl glove and tubing. The blue gloves that come with the J&J casting
tape have not been a problem (yet).
The traditional padding material ues in orthoses (plasizote, pelite,
aliplast, poron) is non latex, so they have not been a problem either. I
have other patient that are allergic to neoprene but their reactions
develop as a rash not the reactions that the latex causes.
Terry Supan, CPO
Associate Professor
Director, Orthotic Prosthetic Services
SIU School of Medicine
Orthotic Prosthetic Services, LL0300
PO Box 19652
Springfield, IL., USA, 62794-9652
phone: (217) 782-5682
fax: (217) 782-7323
E-mail:
