Types of Casts in Cast Fetish: LLC, SLC, Spica, Velpeau & More

Types of Casts in Cast Fetish: LLC, SLC, Spica, Velpeau & More

The complete vocabulary of cast fetish, with what each cast looks like, where it's used in real medicine, and why each one matters to the community. Bookmark this as your visual dictionary.

This guide is a deep-dive on the cast types every fan should recognise. For the bigger picture, start with the hub: What Is Cast Fetish? The Complete 2026 Guide.

How casts are named (the orthopaedic system)

Almost every abbreviation you'll see in cast fetish content comes straight from the medical world. The pattern is always the same: length + body part + (optional) function.

  • L = Long  •  S = Short
  • L (second letter) = Leg  •  A = Arm
  • C = Cast  •  WC = Walking Cast

So LLC = Long Leg Cast, SAC = Short Arm Cast, SLWC = Short Leg Walking Cast. Once you know the code, you can read any photoset description in seconds.

Leg casts

LLC — Long Leg Cast

From the toes to the upper thigh, knee held at a slight bend. The iconic cast of the community: the silhouette is unmistakable, the wearer needs crutches, and the cast forces a very specific gait. In real medicine, LLCs are used for femur fractures, knee ligament repairs and complex tibial plateau injuries. In cast fetish, LLCs are the most photographed and most requested type — read Why the LLC Brace Is the Ultimate and grab a wearable version with the Castlife LLC Brace.

SLC — Short Leg Cast

From the toes to just below the knee. Used medically for ankle fractures, severe sprains and metatarsal injuries. SLCs are the most beginner-friendly: less weight, easier to hide under wide trousers, and you can still drive an automatic. Comparison: SLC vs LLC — which is right for you.

LLWC / SLWC — Walking Casts

A walking cast adds either a moulded heel, a rocker, or a cast shoe so the wearer can bear weight. Visually they're identical to LLC/SLC but with a chunky heel — a detail many fans love because it makes the cast look "used".

CLC — Cylinder Leg Cast

A pure tube from upper thigh to ankle, with the foot completely free. Medically used after kneecap surgery. Aesthetically stunning because the bare foot peeking out of solid plaster creates strong visual contrast.

Arm casts

SAC — Short Arm Cast

Hand to just below the elbow, thumb usually free. The most common arm cast in real life (wrist fractures), and a great entry point for fans who want a discreet experience.

LAC — Long Arm Cast

Hand to upper arm, elbow locked at 90°. Visually dramatic because it forces the arm into a permanent right angle. Often combined with a sling.

Velpeau

Not technically a cast but an immobiliser that wraps the entire arm against the torso. Named after French surgeon Alfred Velpeau (1795–1867). The Velpeau is a community favourite because it changes the body's silhouette completely — one shoulder appears bigger, the wearer becomes asymmetrical. It's the closest you can get to a body cast aesthetic in a wearable, removable form.

Body & spica casts

HS — Hip Spica

The legendary one. A spica covers the torso and one or both legs, locking the hip joint. Used medically for paediatric femur fractures and hip dysplasia.

  • SS — Single Spica: torso + one leg
  • 1.5 Spica: torso + one full leg + the other to the knee
  • DHS — Double Hip Spica: torso + both legs (the maximum)
  • HS-Bar: spica with a rigid bar between the knees keeping the legs apart — instantly recognisable

Minerva

Head, neck, shoulders and upper torso. Almost extinct in modern medicine (replaced by halo braces) but iconic in vintage cast fetish photography.

Body jacket

Trunk only, from armpits to hips. Used for spinal injuries. Less photographed but has a strong dedicated following.

Materials matter as much as type

The same LLC can feel completely different in plaster of Paris vs fiberglass vs neoprene brace form. Read the full breakdown: Plaster vs Fiberglass vs Neoprene. Quick summary:

  • Plaster: heavy, warm during curing, classic smell, takes 24–48h to fully harden
  • Fiberglass: light, sets in 20 minutes, available in colours — see The Color Theory of Casts
  • Neoprene brace: removable, reusable, machine-washable — the modern way to live the experience

Which cast type is right for you?

Goal Recommended type Castlife product
Maximum visual impact LLC or HS LLC Brace
Discreet first experience SLC or SAC Cast Tape + Elastic Wrap
Reusable, daily wear LLC neoprene brace LLC Brace
Authentic plaster experience SLC plaster Cast Tape

Next steps

Coming next in the pillar series: the history & culture of cast fetish, and how to generate hyper-realistic cast images with AI.

Find Your Cast Type at Castlife

Each cast type below has its dedicated collection at Castlife so you can shop by category instead of guessing:

Not sure where to begin? Read the Castlife 101 beginner guide or browse our Best Sellers.

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