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Clubfoot Cast Removal at Home

You may remove your child’s casts at home the morning of your next casting appointment. Please do not remove the casts the night before your appointment; this will allow greater time for the foot to tighten up, which can impact our ability to stretch and correct the foot at the next casting.  This may ultimately result in more casts and a longer period for correction of the clubfoot.  

 

All Plaster Cast

  1. Soak the cast for 15 to 20 minutes
    1. Can use warm water and white vinegar to soften the plaster
    2. Can soak in a baby bath or fill a large ziplock bag and soak just the lower leg
  2. The plaster will start to soften and disintegrate
  3. Clip an open edge of plaster with a scissor (start at the upper thigh) or peel layers with fingers
  4. Unwrap plaster as able
  5. The lower portion of the cast usually slips off the toes
  6. Clean the leg, then massage and lotion to prevent skin irritation
 

Combination Cast

(Plaster below the knee, soft cast above the knee)

  1. Find the tab of the soft cast where it was folded over
  2. Pull tab (you may need to put a fingernail under to free up this leading edge)
  3. Unwrap the upper portion of the cast
  4. Remove the cotton from above the knee
  5. Soak the lower plaster portion for 15 to 20 minutes
    1. Can use warm water and a cup of white vinegar to soften the plaster
    2. Can soak in a baby bath or fill a large ziplock bag and soak just the lower leg
  6. The plaster will start to soften and disintegrate
  7. Clip an open edge of plaster with a scissor (start at the upper leg) or peel layers with your fingers
  8. Unwrap plaster as able
  9. The lower portion of the cast usually slips off the toes
  10. Clean the leg, then massage and lotion to prevent skin irritation

This information is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to replace the advice of your health care providers. If you have any questions, talk with your doctor or others on your health care team. If you are a Gillette patient with urgent questions or concerns, please contact Telehealth Nursing at 651-229-3890.