Marie Stirling

Traditional Total Contact Casting and the TCC-EZ device - A Comparative Case Study

A comparison of Traditional Total Contact Casting and the TCC-EZ® device

Marie Stirling, a Specialist Diabetes Podiatrist at Dr Gray’s Hospital in Elgin, was the proud winner of the Cosyfeet Podiatry Award 2016. She used her £1000 award money to fund a pilot study examining the practical considerations of selecting a TCC method to use in clinic. She was motivated by a desire to inform decision-making by NHS Grampian about the use and methods of TCC, thereby achieving the best possible outcomes for patients who require greater offloading than the removable devices which are readily available.

Both traditional TCC and the TCC-EZ® device are known to provide highly effective offloading to promote healing. Marie’s pilot study examined other factors including clinician training, clinician time, cost, application and patient experience. Her findings are reported here.

Diabetic foot ulceration is the most common cause of amputation in the UK, with over 169 amputations carried out per week.1 Individuals with a diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) have an increased risk of premature death, myocardial infarction and fatal stroke,2 therefore it is a serious and costly complication of diabetes, which must be managed effectively.3

Total Contact Casting (TCC) is the recommended ‘gold standard’ treatment to off-load DFUs.4,5 Patients with unilateral plantar ulcers treated by a TCC, can have their healing time reduced to a mean of 6 weeks.6 The cast redistributes peak plantar pressure to the cast wall, reduces shear and restricts ankle motion, provides optimal off-loading,7 and being irremovable by the patient, it ensures constant use.8

TCC it is underutilised due to a variety of factors such as the fear of causing complications, and the perceived complex application process.9 Evidence from literature, however, cites TCC as a safe and effective method when applied to appropriate patients within a multi-disciplinary setting.10 It is essential that practitioners applying a cast are fully trained and experienced.11

Traditional Total Contact Cast

The TCC has been established since the 1960s as a treatment for off-loading plantar ulceration.12 Over the years, materials have improved significantly, but the basic principles of treatment still apply.

A layer of stockinette is applied from the foot to above the knee, felt covers the bony prominences, wadding bandage is applied interdigitally, and extends to the foot and leg. The casting material (e.g. Delta-Cast® Conformable) is then applied to the foot, extending to below the knee, with the ankle maintained at 90 degrees. Finally, a plaster sandal is fitted.

Traditional Total Contact Cast (TCC)

TCC-EZ®

The more recent development of the TCC-EZ® device aims to simplify the application of a TCC with the materials supplied in kit form.

The patient should ideally lie prone for the application of the cast, which is rolled onto the foot and leg. This ensures an optimal fit and makes it easier to maintain the ankle at 90 degrees. The TCC-EZ® boot is then fitted.

The TCC-EZ Device

Aim

A comparison of Traditional Total Contact Casting and the TCC-EZ® device, aimed at identifying the advantages and disadvantages of using each method in practice. Consideration was given to cost, complications, ease of use, application time and patient satisfaction.

Method

Patients were selected using the following criteria:

Inclusion Criteria

Non-infected diabetic neuropathic plantar foot ulcer

Adequate vascular supply (ABPI >0.7 and <1.2)

Exclusion Criteria

Spreading infection

Necrosis

Allergy to plaster materials

Non-compliance

Patient frailty

Suitable patients were further assessed by DVT risk assessment and diagnostically confirmed full blood counts.

Foot ulcers were assessed and documented (including digital images), debrided and appropriately dressed according to wound status.

Patients were supplied with written information, should an emergency arise out of hours. The initial cast was removed after 48 hours to check for clinical signs of DVT, infection or friction tissue damage following any reduction in oedema. Casts were then re-applied weekly and application times were recorded. At the end of the study each patient was given an evaluation questionnaire to complete.

Patient 1 – Traditional Total Contact Cast

  • 55-year-old male
  • Type 2 Diabetes
  • History of non-compliance
  • Motivation gained by lifestyle changes
  • BMI reduced from 41 to 34
  • History of left 1st toe/metatarsal amputation
  • Left plantar neuropathic post-op wound

Prior to first cast

The first patient presented with a plantar ulcer following amputation of his left 1st toe and metatarsal, which had been present for 2 years. The wound measured 2 x 1cm with depth of 0.3cm.

The patient had a history of not attending his Podiatry and Practice Nurse appointments, but became motivated after adopting a healthy lifestyle, which resulted in significant weight loss.

He agreed to casting treatment and committed to attend all appointments. Within 48 hours of the application of the initial cast, the ulcer had reduced in diameter by 3mm, and depth decreased by 1mm. The cast was then applied weekly.

The ulcer continued to improve, however after 3 weeks, the cast had rubbed over the dorsal and apex of the second toe, causing additional ulceration. Consideration was given at this point to stop casting, however the wounds were non-infected, and caused by rubbing, therefore the decision was made to trial deflective felt to protect the toe whilst in the cast. The areas were dressed, deflective felt applied and the patient was re-casted. The patient was reviewed within 48 hours to check for infection. Within 48 hours the wounds had significantly improved. Deflective felt under the cast was so successful, it was continued to be used under the weekly cast.

After 6 weeks of casting the additional lesions had resolved and the original plantar ulcer was almost healed. Due to the unavailability of trained staff to apply a cast over the Christmas holidays, casting was stopped temporarily, with the intention to recast in 2 weeks.

The patient, however, was pleased with the improvement in his wound and made the decision to discontinue with the cast. Full healing was achieved within 8 weeks of removal of the last cast.

After 6 weeks traditional casting

8 weeks after casting

Patient 2 – TCC-EZ® Device

  • 53-year-old female
  • Type 2 Diabetes
  • BMI 36
  • Right 1st MPJt Hallux Limitus - prone to callus build-up
  • Associated right 1st toe plantar neuropathic ulcer present for 4 months

Prior to casting

The second patient had a neuropathic ulcer on the plantar aspect of the right 1st toe which had been present for 4 months. The wound measured 1 x 0.5cm with 0.1cm depth and the ulcer had a history of infection which was resolved with antibiotics.

The patient worked as a playground supervisor at a primary school, which involved standing for long periods of time. She agreed to take time off her work to allow treatment with the cast. The TCC-EZ® device was used.

No complications were noted and within 48 hours the ulcer had decreased in size by 2mm. The patient was re-casted and within one week the ulcer was healed. A further 2 casts were applied to ensure full epithelialisation.

One week after casting with TCC-EZ®

Results

Cost

Cost of materials for average 6-8-week treatment

  • Traditional Total Contact Cast = £255
  • TCC-EZ® = £580

Application Times

All casting and setting times were recorded, with mean averages calculated.

Traditional TCC

Casting time - average 16 minutes

Setting time – average 20 minutes

Total time - 36 minutes

TCC-EZ®

Casting time – average 9 minutes

Setting time – average 15 minutes

Total time – 24 minutes

Patient satisfaction

At the end of their casting treatments, patients were asked to complete a questionnaire to provide feedback and evaluate their experience. Their main comments were as follows:

Traditional TCC

  • “Difficult for the first few days but then totally fine”
  • Would recommend treatment to someone else
  • Overall satisfaction – “Extremely satisfied”

TCC-EZ®

  • “In bed I had to wrap a towel round the cast and put it in a pillowcase tied at the top to get a comfortable sleep”
  • Would recommend treatment to someone else
  • Overall satisfaction – “Wound healed in one week. Over the moon with result”

Conclusion

Advantages

Traditional TCC

  • Materials cheaper
  • Bespoke - good for patients with significant deformity
  • Resin based materials fairly easy to use
  • Patient can be casted sitting on plinth

TCC-EZ®

  • Quicker and easier application
  • Slightly less mess
  • Easier to maintain 90-degree angle at ankle with patient casted prone
  • Less hot for patient to wear due to woven design – good for wounds prone to maceration
  • Easier to maintain skills, good if not casting often
  • Easier to apply if only one clinician available

Disadvantages

Traditional TCC

  • Requires regular casting to maintain skills
  • Easier to apply with 2 clinicians

TCC-EZ®

  • Ideally patient must be able to lie prone
  • More expensive
  • Limited bespoke options if patient has significant deformity

Summary

Both methods of casting significantly improved ulcer healing rates, however, no comparison is drawn of healing rates achieved as only 2 patients were studied. Although rubbing caused additional ulceration with the Traditional TCC, the bespoke design allowed the application of deflective felt to be applied underneath the cast successfully. No rubbing was noted with the TCC-EZ®.

Traditional TCC still works out cheaper, despite the saving on clinical time the TCC-EZ® gives. It should be noted, however, if a patient is not casted, healing will take longer and therefore be more expensive.

The choice of whether to use Traditional TCC or the TCC-EZ® will depend on clinical judgement, available resources and the skills of the clinician. Ideally if both methods were available, the choice would be determined by what would be best for the individual patient. If casting was done regularly, Traditional TCC would be the preferred cheaper option. If patients were casted infrequently, TCC-EZ® would be the easier method to apply. Both methods, however, have a valuable place in clinical practice, and are extremely effective for off-loading plantar ulceration.

Applying the TCC-EZ®

References

  1. Diabetes UK 2018. 26,378 diabetes-related lower limb amputations in the last three years. https://www.diabetes.org.uk/node/11895
  2. Jagadish M et al. The Importance of Patient Co-morbidity Recognition and Total Contact Casting in Successful Wound Care. The American Surgeon 2016; Vol 82, No 8: 733.
  3. D Martins-Mendes et al. The Independent Contribution of a Diabetic Foot Ulcer on Lower Extremity Amputation and Mortality Risk. Journal of Diabetes and its Complications 2014; Vol 28, No 5: 632-8
  4. Fife C et al. Diabetic Foot Ulcer Off-loading: The Gap Between Evidence and Practice. Advances in Skin & Wound Care 2014; Vol 27, No7: 310-16. woundcarejournal.com
  5. SIGN 116. Management of Diabetes: A National Clinical Guideline 2010. sign.ac.uk/pdf/sign116.
  6. Mueller NJ et al. Total Contact Casting in Treatment of Diabetic Plantar Ulcers; Controlled Clinical Trial. Diabetes Care 1989; Vol 12: 384-388.
  7. Jaakola E and Weber A. Current Concepts in Total Contact Casting for DFUs. Podiatry Today 2014; Vol 27, No 4: 20-7.
  8. Armstrong D et al. Off-loading the diabetic foot wound: A randomized clinical trial
  9. Diabetes Care 2001; Vol 24, No 6: 1019-22.
  10. Berrington R and Gooday C. Why is casting underutilised in the management of neuropathic foot complications? The Diabetic Foot Journal 2016; Vol 19, No 2: 89-94.
  11. Wukich D and Motko J. Safety of Total Contact Casting in High-Risk Patients with Neuropathic Foot Ulcers. Foot & Ankle International 2004; 25, No. 8: 556-60.
  12. International Best Practice Guidelines: Wound Management in Diabetic Foot Ulcers. Wounds International 2013. woundsinternational.com
  13. Jimenez AL. Total Contact Casting. The Podiatry Institute 2003; Chapter 51: 282-87.

The purpose of this pilot study was is to examine the practical considerations of selecting which TCC method to use in clinic. With this in mind, formal ethical approval was not considered necessary. Patients gave written consent to be included, and for digital images to be held on record for teaching and publication purposes, in accordance with NHS Grampian guidelines.

Marie Stirling would like to acknowledge the support she received from plaster technicians, Glen Forsyth and Lorna Beattie, who were a great help throughout the project.