‘Return to the New Normal’: Innovative Solutions for Safe Ponseti Casting in Clubfoot Clinics during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Clubfoot treatment using the Ponseti method has been severely impacted as a result of lockdown measures implemented by several countries during the COVID-19 pandemic. As clubfoot clinics begin phased re-opening, we describe various innovative techniques to protect patients and healthcare providers during delivery of clubfoot treatment services. In addition to standard social distancing measures and sanitization protocols, we report a simple and innovative technique of ‘barrier casting’ or ‘ring-fencing’ to potentially reduce the risk of droplet infection and airborne transmission during clubfoot casting and tenotomy. A transparent, disposable plastic drape is set up as a curtain and serves as an impermeable barrier between the caregiver and healthcare provider performing the casting or tenotomy. The plastic drape is cheap (< US$ 1.5), easily available and can be used effectively even in low- and middle-income countries which have a high patient load. We have utilized these innovative techniques in 43 consecutive patients since clinic re-opening and are satisfied that they are effective, economical and easily reproducible even in countries with limited resources. Innovative techniques, which have the potential to reduce the risk of disease transmission, will help in the rapid recovery of clubfoot treatment services as countries emerge from months of lockdown.