The present invention provides improved hardenable orthopaedic supports and methods
of making the same. One embodiment provides a support which includes a blank made
of a permeable, flexible material and including a structural region impregnated
with a hardenable material and a peripheral region which will remain flexible after
the hardenable material is hardened. Another embodiment provides a method of manufacturing
an orthopaedic support in which a permeable, flexible material is positioned adjacent
a recess of a molding element; the flexible material is contacted with a hardenable
material; and the hardenable material is placed under pressure in the molding element
to impregnate the section of the flexible material with the hardenable material.