Clubfoot Cast

Other Names

• Casting for Club Foot
• Clubfoot cast

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Background

Clubfoot treatment over 5-6 weeks

• This page covers the club foot cast

Timing

• Ideally, casting begins in the first weeks of life to take advantage of initial elasticity of contracted ligaments, joints and tendons
• Improvements from manipulation are maintained by immobilizing the foot in a plaster cast for 5-7 days
• Within the first 2-3 months, the surgeon attempts 5-6 manipulation and cast applications
• Children who present for treatment after four or five months old may require operative correction because ligaments become stiffer
• Total duration of treatment should be less than three months;
• 6-8 toe-to-groin plaster casts, changed weekly after manipulation and worn for 7-10 weeks, should be sufficient to obtain maximum correction possible

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Indications

• Club Foot

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Contraindications

• Lesion can be corrected by less drastic restriction

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Procedure

Equipment

• See: Casting materials

Ponsetti Technique

• Needs to be updated

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Aftercare

• Typically non-weight bearing until re-evaluated
• Advise patient to keep cast or splint clean and dry
• Do not insert objects into splint/ cast
• Monitor for complications (worsening pain, paresthesia/ numbness, color changes)
• Seek further care if unable to control pain at home

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Complications

• Increased cavus deformity
• Rocker-bottom deformity
• Longitudinal breach
• Flattening of the proximal surface of the talus
• Lateral rotation of the ankle
• Increased stiffness of the ligaments and joints
• Recurrence

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See Also

• Casting Main
• Procedures Main

External

• https://www.wheelessonline.com/bones/foot/casting-for-club-foot/

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