What is a thumb spica cast?

A cast that holds the thumb together with the wrist and forearm. The Gero Thumb Spica Cast is designed from a 3D scan of the patient's limb and 3D printed.

Is the Gero Thumb Spica Cast used for scaphoid fractures?

It is designed for thumb and scaphoid fractures. Whether it suits a specific patient and stage of healing is the treating doctor's decision.

Can patients shower with it?

The cast is water-resistant, so patients can shower with it with their doctor's approval.

3D-Printed Thumb Spica Cast for Thumb and Scaphoid Fractures

Q: How does a clinic start offering it?

Book a demo. Clinics start with a free pilot of 10 casts, with free training and the equipment provided.

Gero3D makes two personalized 3D-printed casts for the thumb side of the wrist: the Thumb Spica Cast, for thumb and scaphoid fractures, and the De Quervain Cast, for De Quervain's tenosynovitis and conditions on the radial side of the wrist. Like every Gero cast, each one is designed from a 3D scan of the patient's own limb.

1. The Thumb Spica Cast

A thumb spica cast holds the thumb together with the wrist and forearm. The Gero version is designed for thumb and scaphoid fractures. Because it is built from the patient's scan, it follows the shape of their hand and thumb, with an open lattice structure instead of a closed shell.

2. The De Quervain Cast

The De Quervain Cast is designed for De Quervain's tenosynovitis and other conditions on the radial side of the wrist. It is made the same way, from a scan of the patient's limb, and shares the same lightweight, ventilated structure.

3. How a clinic makes one

The clinic scans the patient's limb with the Gero app, in a two-minute workflow. Our software designs the cast automatically, instead of about 45 minutes of manual design work. In Israel the cast is printed, finished and shipped to the clinic within 3 days. At the first visit, while swelling subsides, the clinic can fit the ONE Splint, a ready-made 3D-printed wrist splint, until the personalized cast arrives.

4. Compared with a traditional thumb spica

Weight: about 60 g, compared with 1.5 to 2 kg for a traditional cast.
Water: water-resistant, so patients can shower with the doctor's approval. A traditional cast usually has to be kept dry.
Skin: the open structure lets air flow and is easy to clean.
Removal: no electric saw.
Design: the patient chooses the colour and pattern.

See the full comparison on our 3D-printed cast page.

5. The doctor decides

Whether a 3D-printed cast suits a particular injury, and for how long it is worn, is always the treating doctor's decision. Gero3D provides the scan, design and cast; the clinical care stays with the clinic.

6. Offering it at your clinic

Gero casts are used in clinics in Israel, where more than 500 treatments have been done and Gero3D has an agreement with Maccabi Healthcare Services. In the United States, Gero3D is starting a pilot program with clinics. Clinics can start with a free pilot of 10 casts, with free training and the equipment provided. Book a demo.

A patient? Tell us which clinic treats you and we'll ask them about offering Gero.