Fracture-suspending effect of the patellar-tendon-bearing cast.

In order to evaluate the fracture-suspending effect of the patellar-tendon-bearing cast, experiments using a load cell under the heel were carried out on four subjects. Measurements were made using a conventional below-knee cast, the PTB cast, and an above-knee cast. There were no differences between the forces transmitted by the same subject wearing the three types of casts in turn and consequently the choice of cast must be based on other factors.