Hesperian Health Guides

Method 2: Plaster Casts

In this chapter:

This method uses a casting technique similar to the one for correcting contractures (see Chapter 59). A club foot is gradually straightened in 3 stages:

Stage A
NWTND bag arrow.png
Stage B
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Stage C
Straighten the inward bend so that the foot points down. Do not yet begin to lift the foot. Overcorrect so that the foot points down and out. Keep the foot in this position until the heel no longer turns in but is straight or turns out just a little. Now bring the foot up, making sure that the outside of the foot is higher than the inside. Overcorrect.
Club foot angled to the right, arrow in semicirle pointing left.
Foot with arrrow pointing to inner ankle and another outward
heel turned in
heel turned out
Foot with arrow pointing to outer ankle, arrow at the toes pointing outward Foot with arrow pointing upward from below.
DVC Ch60 Page 568-1.jpg DVC Ch60 Page 568-2.jpg This child was born with a club foot. Village rehabilitation workers used a series of casts to straighten it. First they corrected the inner bend of the foot.
DVC Ch60 Page 568-3.jpg DVC Ch60 Page 568-4.jpg DVC Ch60 Page 568-5.jpg
Then they gradually lifted her foot by cutting out rings on the cast, closing the space, and holding it closed with a new strip of plaster.
After 4 months of casting, the foot was in a good position. DVC Ch60 Page 568-6.jpg
IMPORTANT! After a club foot has been corrected, great care is needed to prevent it from coming back.

Both exercises and braces are essential. After strapping or casts have been removed, continue the recommended stretching exercises twice a day. See braces for use after correcting club feet.

Many children need to wear braces until they stop growing(age 13 to 18). If the problem keeps returning, surgery is probably needed.
DVC Ch60 Page 568-7.png
This child who had club feet needs to use braces day and night, at least until he begins to walk, and still at night after that.
Check his feet regularly, for years, for any sign that the foot is beginning to turn in again. Improved bracing may be required.


This page was updated:18 Sep 2024