Clubfoot Correcting Brace

Clubfoot deformity, also known as talipes equinovarus, is a birth related foot deformity. The cause is multifactorial and current treatment is with serial casting to bring the foot to a better position. Clubfoot deformity occurs in about 1 of every 1,000 births and affects boys more a girls, with 50% have bilateral deformity. 

Treatment generally starts as an infant with serial casting following a sequence developed by Dr. Ponseti. The feet are massaged and stretched and then held in the improved position with long leg plaster casts. Most patients benefit from a procedure to lengthen the heel cord. After casting, daily stretching and an abduction brace is used full time for several months and then at night to maintain the correction.

A prototype of a clubfoot corrective brace has been developed with heat moldable segments and tensioned connectors to apply corrective forces in a process and sequence comparable to Ponseti casting.