The DUTh Abduction Brace: A New Orthosis Design for
Maintaining Foot Correction in Idiopathic Clubfoot
Duangjai Leeprakobboon MD1, Udomsin Singjam MD1, Thananit Sangkomkamhang MD1
Affiliation :
1 Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Khon Kaen Hospital, Khon Kaen, Thailand
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, ef(cid:976)icacy in static maintenance of the desirable foot position, and low
incidence of complications.
Keywords : Idiopathic clubfoot, Foot abduction orthosis
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