Adaptive Aids & Clothing

"The Butcher Block"

… so named by hospital staff.

An aid designed for a paraplegic, 
to support a leg that is in a cast, 
so that he/she can continue to use his/her own wheelchair, 
while the leg heals from a break.



The block sits in and on the footrest 
of the wheelchair, 
 kept in place with velcro.
The block can be easily removed from the footrest  
and as easily put back in place as needed,
thus allowing for transfer to vehicle, toilet, or bed.

 The foot rest …

… strips of 1" velcro mesh sewn together
and a strip of velcro hook added to each side…

 … and wrapped around …


… now ready for the block.



The leg in the cast resting on the block, 
the outside view….

 … and the inside view.

The strap seen on the leg has a loop handle 
and is an aid so that the person in the chair 
can lift his/her leg, to assist in transfer, 
or for an assistant to do the same.

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Measurements and Closer Views


 Seen from the front.

Closeup of the outside view.

The back view.


The back view with measurements. 


 The lower end view with measurements.
Four pieces of hook velcro were stapled to the block:
one longer and one shorter on each side,
making a corner of velcro on each side, 
to allow for more contact with the 
mesh velcro on the footrest.


 The inside view with measurements.



The outside view with measurements.

The pieces were all joined with wood screws.
The velcro was attached with 1/2" (1.5cm) staples.

If you have any questions, contact me!
sewinglouisemacadam@gmail.com

More photos
 Top view as installed on chair.

Back view - in use. 
View of the strap on the leg/cast with a loop handle 
to assist in lifting the leg.


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Protective Ankle Boot 
With Wedge 

Designed to take pressure off a sore on the ankle, 
to allow it to heal.
Made from layers of 3/4" foam, 
a sturdy knit fabric, velcro tapes.


A hole and graduated area around the hole 
allows the ankle to rest in place 
without any pressure on it or the surrounding area.  

 The outside view, with the velcro straps.

 View from the knee end.  
The heel fits into the left side of the sunken area.

The velcro straps are held back in place - 
each has a tab of velcro to keep it held down, 
while the patient puts on the boot.
 The heel is placed in the depression - 
as seen in the first photo.

 The boot closed - 
the velcro allows adjustment for snugness 
around each area of the leg and ankle.

 The ankle bone seen through the opening ...

… allows fingers to monitor 
positioning and contact ...

… with the boot surface.


 A wedge made from foam ...
… with a velcro strip added … 

… to place alongside the boot. 

The position of the wedge is adjustable
 as the velcro goes right around the boot.

 The wedge stops the leg from rotating outward thus keeping pressure off the ankle area.



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As it fits on the patient:
 This ankle boot is designed for the right leg.

The heel is placed in the hollow on the left.

 Closing up: 
adjustable to the patient's needs for snugness and fit.

 View of ankle bone through hole … 
where the patient can feel if the boot is properly fitted.

You can see the mesh side of the velcro near the pink surface 

 … to which the wedge ...  
... will attach ...
to keep the leg from turning outwards, 
and avoiding possible pressure on the ankle bone.



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