Once clubfoot is corrected with Ponseti plaster application and tendoachilles tenotomy, it’s time to maintain the correction of foot till child is grown more and started walking well. There is risk of clubfoot recurring without proper bracing.

Recurrent clubfoot without bracing

Types of braces

Steinbeck device, Iowa Brace and Dobbs Brace are commonly used clubfoot Foot Abduction Orthosis.

Dobbs brace in particular has the added advantage of providing extra mobility to the child potentially improving compliance. Comparatively it’s more expensive.

Compliance

In rural India it’s especially difficult to ensure compliance to orthosis for parents as many feel clubfoot treatment finishes with Ponseti casting. Social issues and sensitivity of going out of home with brace fitted is one of the issues that makes parent fall out. Some of them don’t spend enough time learning to put it on and take it off and give up once child starts crying. It’s an easy procedure that we teach aling with nurses and orthotists to help parents during initial days.

Steinbeck braces

Clubfoot Steinbeck braces

Foot inside Steinbeck clubfoot brace

Dobbs Bracing

Dobbs brace allowing movement