Michael Barbella, Managing Editor01.05.23
WishBone Medical Inc. has forged a distribution agreement with Clubfoot Solutions for the latter's Iowa Brace.
The Iowa Brace maintains the correction achieved via the Ponseti Method and prevents a recurrence of clubfoot. The late University of Iowa pediatric orthopedic surgeon Dr. Ignacio Ponseti dedicated his life to ensuring children worldwide have access to the best clubfoot treatment and a quality clubfoot brace, regardless of their economic or social circumstances. In partnership with the Ponseti International Association (PIA), Clubfoot Solutions has developed and distributed more than 90,000 Iowa Braces in over 90 countries since 2015.
“It was important for our nonprofit organization to partner with a company that understands our commitment to treating clubfoot worldwide with the Iowa Brace,” Clubfoot Solutions Managing Director Todd J. Becker said. “WishBone’s focus on pediatric orthopedic solutions to bone deformities will help expand the Iowa Brace in the U.S. market so we can continue to help affected children in low resource countries. The need for a quality, comfortable and clinically proven clubfoot brace is great around the globe. Our mission at Clubfoot Solutions is to ensure every child in need born with clubfoot deformity has an Iowa Brace during treatment.”
With insights from decades of clinical experience treating children born with clubfoot, the brace was designed by a team of renowned specialists at the University of Iowa, including Dr. Jose Morcuende, pediatric orthopedic surgeon and president of PIA. It was important to set a new wearability standard, as discomfort and skin irritations are two of the most common reasons for discontinued use of bracing among patients. The resulting Iowa brace has a breathable mesh that maximizes ventilation and provides lightweight durability. Its cushioned tongue helps prevent skin irritation on the top of the patient’s feet and eliminates the need for third-party add-ons. The one-of-a-kind contoured AFO insert features a cupped heel counter that stabilizes the foot to both reduce friction and promote proper usage. The Iowa Flexbar and platforms are injection molded from fiber-reinforced nylon and allows the child some degree of freedom to move each foot, enabling them to stretch the muscles and tendons.
“Coupling the Iowa Brace with our Clubfoot Achilles Tenotomy (CAT) Kit, WishBone now offers a solution to address clubfoot deformity,” said Scott Williams, executive vice president of Marketing, WishBone Medical. “Surgeons efficiently complete a tenotomy in a hospital or ASC setting with our CAT Kit, then equip their small patients with a reliable, comfortable bracing solution as they start their four-year bracing treatment program at home.”
Clubfoot Solutions Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit Iowa-based organization. The Iowa Brace was developed at the University of Iowa.
WishBone Medical is a global pediatric orthopedic company, committed to providing pediatric implants, instruments, and solutions in single-use, sterile packed procedure kits designed to prevent infection, reduce overall costs for customers, and achieve the best outcomes for children.
The Iowa Brace maintains the correction achieved via the Ponseti Method and prevents a recurrence of clubfoot. The late University of Iowa pediatric orthopedic surgeon Dr. Ignacio Ponseti dedicated his life to ensuring children worldwide have access to the best clubfoot treatment and a quality clubfoot brace, regardless of their economic or social circumstances. In partnership with the Ponseti International Association (PIA), Clubfoot Solutions has developed and distributed more than 90,000 Iowa Braces in over 90 countries since 2015.
“It was important for our nonprofit organization to partner with a company that understands our commitment to treating clubfoot worldwide with the Iowa Brace,” Clubfoot Solutions Managing Director Todd J. Becker said. “WishBone’s focus on pediatric orthopedic solutions to bone deformities will help expand the Iowa Brace in the U.S. market so we can continue to help affected children in low resource countries. The need for a quality, comfortable and clinically proven clubfoot brace is great around the globe. Our mission at Clubfoot Solutions is to ensure every child in need born with clubfoot deformity has an Iowa Brace during treatment.”
With insights from decades of clinical experience treating children born with clubfoot, the brace was designed by a team of renowned specialists at the University of Iowa, including Dr. Jose Morcuende, pediatric orthopedic surgeon and president of PIA. It was important to set a new wearability standard, as discomfort and skin irritations are two of the most common reasons for discontinued use of bracing among patients. The resulting Iowa brace has a breathable mesh that maximizes ventilation and provides lightweight durability. Its cushioned tongue helps prevent skin irritation on the top of the patient’s feet and eliminates the need for third-party add-ons. The one-of-a-kind contoured AFO insert features a cupped heel counter that stabilizes the foot to both reduce friction and promote proper usage. The Iowa Flexbar and platforms are injection molded from fiber-reinforced nylon and allows the child some degree of freedom to move each foot, enabling them to stretch the muscles and tendons.
“Coupling the Iowa Brace with our Clubfoot Achilles Tenotomy (CAT) Kit, WishBone now offers a solution to address clubfoot deformity,” said Scott Williams, executive vice president of Marketing, WishBone Medical. “Surgeons efficiently complete a tenotomy in a hospital or ASC setting with our CAT Kit, then equip their small patients with a reliable, comfortable bracing solution as they start their four-year bracing treatment program at home.”
Clubfoot Solutions Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit Iowa-based organization. The Iowa Brace was developed at the University of Iowa.
WishBone Medical is a global pediatric orthopedic company, committed to providing pediatric implants, instruments, and solutions in single-use, sterile packed procedure kits designed to prevent infection, reduce overall costs for customers, and achieve the best outcomes for children.