The DUTh Abduction Brace for Clubfoot

NewsBot · Sep 11, 2018

Members do not see these Ads. Sign Up.
The DUTh Abduction Brace: A New Orthosis Design for Maintaining Foot Correction in Idiopathic Clubfoot
Leeprakobboon D Mail, Singjam U , Sangkomkamhang T
J Med Assoc Thai 2018; 101 (9):1191-6

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of the “DUTh” device in achieving static maintenance of desirable characteristics of the foot after clubfoot correction over a period of one year.

Materials and Methods: A prospective study was conducted of idiopathic clubfoot patients treated following the Ponseti protocol during the period 2014 through 2016. Dimeglio and Pirani scores were recorded before attaching the DUTh brace and at 3, 6, 9, and 12-month follow-up visits, including level of compliance and any complications with the brace.

Results: The DUTh brace was applied to 47 feet of 30 patients. At initial brace application, there was no change in the Dimeglio or Pirani scores (p>0.05). The average daily period in the brace was 16, 12, 9.5, and 9.5 hours for months 1 to 3, 4 to 6, 7 to 9, and 9 to 12 months, respectively.

Conclusion: The DUTh brace is appropriate alternative foot abduction brace for post-correction maintenance of clubfoot correction. Advantages of the brace include greater comfort due to the brace being custom-made, light weight, easily adjustable for length and angle by parents, provision of easy heel accessibility, efficacy in static maintenance of the desirable foot position, and low incidence of complications.
Click to expand...

NewsBot · Dec 20, 2018

A new unilateral abduction orthosis for Ponseti-treated clubfoot: A cohort study to assess compliance.
McCartney S et al
Prosthet Orthot Int. 2018 Dec 17:309364618814866. doi: 10.1177/0309364618814866.

BACKGROUND::
The Ponseti method for treating congenital talipes equinovarus requires an orthosis to maintain correction after manipulation and casting, typically the 'boots and bar'. Non-compliance with the orthosis increases the risk of recurrent deformity. This study investigates a new orthosis, the abduction dorsiflexion mechanism.

OBJECTIVES::
The aim of this study is to assess compliance of the abduction dorsiflexion mechanism when used at night and maintenance of foot morphology.

STUDY DESIGN::
This study is a cohort study.

METHODS::
A total of 10 children with unilateral congenital talipes equinovarus previously treated with Ponseti casting were recruited to trial the abduction dorsiflexion mechanism at night for 12 weeks. Foot morphology and compliance were assessed every 4 weeks.

RESULTS::
Participant families were pleased with the orthosis, opting to continue to use the device following conclusion of the trial. Compliance was good and no deterioration in Pirani score or dorsiflexion seen. Abduction improved during the trial. The incidence of skin problems was equivalent to that experienced with the traditional boots and bar that the children had been wearing.

CONCLUSION::
Good compliance and parental satisfaction, coupled with no deterioration in foot morphology, abduction or dorsiflexion present the abduction dorsiflexion mechanism boot as a feasible alternative to the traditional boots and bar, particularly in children with unilateral congenital talipes equinovarus.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE::
The abduction dorsiflexion mechanism is currently the subject of considerable interest as clinicians look to increase compliance and reduce the recurrence rate in Ponseti-treated congenital talipes equinovarus. The abduction dorsiflexion mechanism boot is a feasible alternative to the traditional boots and bar, particularly in children with unilateral congenital talipes equinovarus.
Click to expand...

NewsBot · Dec 29, 2018

The importance of foot abduction brace after the Ponseti treatment of clubfoot
Dan Cosma, Dana Vasilescu, Mădălina Văleanu
Source

The aim of this study was to find out the role and importance of foot abduction brace after the completion of clubfoot treatment by
Ponseti method. In the interval 2014-2016, a series of 51 children (74 feet) suffering of clubfoot were treated according to the Ponseti
method in our department. Of them, 36 children satisfied the inclusion criteria in the study. Compliance with orthoses was defined
in the terms below: 23 hours/day in the first three months after the cast removal and minimum 8 hours/day up to the age of 3 years.
Non-compliance was defined as the incapacity of observing the criterion mentioned above up to the age of 18 months.
Out of the 36 patients, 25 (69%) patients (35 feet) complied with the requirement and 11 (31%) patients (15 feet) did not comply
with the foot abduction orthoses. At the age of 18 months, it was found out that in the non-complying group, the Pirani score
increased significantly as compared to the complying group which means a deterioration of the initial result. Another finding with
reference to the foot abduction orthoses complying group is that the Pirani score was maintained or improved significantly (p<0.05),
while with the non-complying group the initial results obtained by plaster casts were damaged due to lack of use of orthoses
(p<0.05).
We consider the correct use of the foot abduction orthoses as essential for the conservative treatment of the clubfoot according to the Ponseti method, in spite of the obstacles sometimes put by parents.
Click to expand...

NewsBot · Mar 7, 2019

Open-Source Three-Dimensional Printable Infant Clubfoot Brace
Savonen, Benjamin, MSc; Gershenson, John, PhD; Bow, Jennifer K., MD; Pearce, Joshua M., PhD
JPO: Journal of Prosthetics and Orthotics: February 26, 2019 - Volume Online First - Issue - p

Introduction Open-source, self-replicating rapid prototypers (RepRaps) have radically reduced the costs of three-dimensional (3D) printing while expanding its access. Three-dimensional printing's model of distributed manufacturing can produce medical technologies at significantly reduced costs. We investigate this potential by evaluating the viability of an open-source 3D printable infant clubfoot brace.

Materials and Methods Starting with a list of key features present in currently available clubfoot braces, a 3D-printed clubfoot brace was developed in free and open-source CAD software (FreeCAD) to enable future customization. Polylactic acid, a biodegradable and recyclable bioplastic, was selected among the various commercial 3D printable materials based on strength and cost.

Results The results show that the open-source clubfoot brace matches or surpasses the physical features and mechanical degrees of freedom of all commercial- and nonprofit-developed brace designs while substantially reducing the costs of the braces to hospitals and families.

Conclusions The 3D-printed brace has the features of commercially available braces while significantly reducing the cost, making this clubfoot brace particularly appropriate for use in developing countries. In addition, the results indicated that this model of distributed manufacturing of medical technology is technically and economically appropriate through much of the Global South.
Click to expand...

NewsBot · Apr 25, 2021

Development of a functional prototype of a SMART (Sensor-integrated for Monitoring And Remote Tracking) foot abduction brace for clubfoot treatment: a pre-clinical evaluation
Alaric Aroojis et al
Int Orthop. 2021 Apr 22;1-10

Purpose: Recurrences following clubfoot correction by the Ponseti method can be prevented by regular use of a foot abduction brace (FAB) until the child is four to five years old. However, there is a lack of an objective method to measure actual hours of brace usage. The aim was to develop a functional prototype of a SMART (Sensor-integrated for Monitoring And Remote Tracking) clubfoot brace to record accurate brace usage and transmit the data remotely to healthcare providers treating clubfoot.

Methods: A collaborative team of engineers and doctors was formed to investigate various types of sensors and wireless technologies to develop a functional prototype of a SMART brace.

Results: Infrared sensors were used to detect if the feet were placed inside the shoes and magnetic Hall effect sensors to detect that the shoes were latched on to the bar of the existing FAB. Brace usage data were captured by the sensors every 15 minutes and stored locally on a data card. A Bluetooth low energy (BLE)-based wireless transmission system was used to send the data daily from the brace to the remote cloud server via a smartphone application. Accurate brace usage data could be recorded by the sensors and visualized in real time on a web-based application in a pre-clinical setting, demonstrating feasibility in clinical practice.

Conclusion: The low-cost SMART brace prototype that we have developed can accurately measure and remotely transmit brace usage data and has the potential to transform caregivers' behaviour towards brace adherence, which could result in a tangible reduction in recurrence rates.
Click to expand...

NewsBot The Admin that posts the news.

NewsBot The Admin that posts the news.

NewsBot The Admin that posts the news.

NewsBot The Admin that posts the news.

NewsBot The Admin that posts the news.

A biomechanical assessment of the acute hallux abduction manipulation intervention

Steenbeek Foot Abduction Brace for Clubfoot

8 year old boy functional hallux abduction

Advice- 2nd DIPJ abduction

Knee abduction impulses and patellofemoral pain

Share This Page