TILT 176: 3D Printed Club Foot Brace

thingiverse

The STAND 176 effectively progressively corrects club foot. There are eight positions for each foot to gradually adjust the positioning of the feet. Club foot is a congenital deformity where one or both feet twist abnormally. Club foot occurs once every 1,240 births. Immediate treatment at birth helps avoid surgery. This device offers a non-invasive solution and can be readily available as needed. This results in swift treatment, reducing the risk of surgery significantly. Conventionally, these devices demand precise drilling for positioning holes, which takes considerable time for practitioners and consequently incurs significant costs. However, this model boasts exceptional strength, precision, affordability, and speed. Moreover, it allows printing at a local 3D printing clinic in areas where importing pre-made devices is either impossible or very costly. As 3D printing clinics rapidly expand globally, their accessibility increases. This fixed device targets young children before they learn to crawl. Usage of this device requires direct supervision from a certified orthopedic specialist. Printing Specifications Rafts: - No Rafts Supports: None are required Infill Density: 100% Notes: I employed PLA but ABS is also likely suitable for these foot models. Ongoing testing aims to establish the optimal infill density percentage, and for safety's sake, 100% infill is a recommended starting point. However, the supporting bars can have a reduced infill density of about 20%. Post-Printing Once parts are printed, tap a pin with a 3mm diameter into small holes at the ends of the rods. These pins will then be inserted into the positioning holes and successively adjusted to adapt to changing club foot angles. Lastly, 3 to 5 M5 countersunk flat-head screws and nuts should be utilized to maintain secure stability.