Using ‘cling film’ to protect lower limb plaster casts in babies with club foot

Abstract

Clubfoot or congenital talipes equinovarus is a common condition affecting babies and non-surgical treatment involves serial manipulation and plaster casting for many weeks. The casts are susceptible to soiling during this time, which makes management and child care even more challenging. The authors report initial experience in a typical district general hospital clubfoot clinic where the parents of a baby used conventional cling film to cover the casts and provide a low-cost, effective and well-tolerated method of protection. Informal reports received from these parents were very positive and encouraging throughout the duration of treatment. The authors believe parents with babies undergoing such treatment for clubfoot could be advised of the benefits of using cling film to protect plaster casts. More formal analysis of feedback from parents and collaborative experience with other hospitals is required before widespread use is recommended. There may also be scope for using cling film to protect lower limb casts used in managing developmental dysplasia of the hip or fractures in children and potentially adults.

Treatment of Clubfoot With Ponseti Method Using Semirigid Synthetic Softcast

“…6 POP also has disadvantages such as soiling and heaviness. 7 Moreover, the removal of the casts can be stressful for the child as well as the parents. 8 …”

“…In addition, there is no time interval between cast removal and application. 7 On the other hand, there are limited numbers of reports regarding the use of fiberglass cast materials in the treatment of clubfoot with the Ponseti technique. 8 – 11 …”

Synthetic Cast Material Versus Plaster of Paris for the Treatment of Idiopathic Clubfoot by the Ponseti Protocol: A Comparative Analysis of 136 Feet

“…12 However, over the years, limitations such as difficult removal, soiling, and heaviness have been recognized as potential disadvantages by some authors. 11,13 Complications related to the exothermic reaction during plaster molding and skin lesions caused by the cast saw have also been reported. [14][15][16] SRF has thus been used as alternative casting material for its lighter weight, rapid application and removal, and because it needs no time lapse between removal and application of the new cast.…”

“…[14][15][16] SRF has thus been used as alternative casting material for its lighter weight, rapid application and removal, and because it needs no time lapse between removal and application of the new cast. 11,13,17 However, its higher cost and stiffness associated with reduced moldability compared with POP, have limited its popularity. 18,19 The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcome of children with IC treated according to the principles of the Ponseti technique using POP or SRF, the hypothesis being that in skilled hands, the type of casting material (POP vs. SRF) does not influence the final clinical outcome, provided the principles of the technique are applied appropriately.…”

“…Specifically, POP has been advocated as the material of choice for IC treatment by Ignacio Ponseti because of its good moldability and low cost 12. However, over the years, limitations such as difficult removal, soiling, and heaviness have been recognized as potential disadvantages by some authors 11,13. Complications related to the exothermic reaction during plaster molding and skin lesions caused by the cast saw have also been reported 14–16…”