For Healthcare Professionals
A Modern Orthopedic Alternative to Serial Casting for Infant Metatarsus Adductus
UNFO is a below-ankle orthopedic brace developed for infants under 9 months of age, designed to support gentle correction of metatarsus adductus while preserving comfort, mobility, hygiene, and daily function.
Clinical Overview
Metatarsus adductus is one of the most common congenital foot deformities in infancy, characterized by medial deviation of the forefoot relative to the hindfoot. While many mild and flexible cases may improve spontaneously, moderate and more persistent presentations often require intervention in order to support proper alignment during early development.
Traditional management has frequently relied on observation, stretching protocols, or serial casting. However, these approaches may present practical and clinical limitations, particularly when considering infant comfort, hygiene, parent compliance, and preservation of natural movement.
UNFO was developed to provide a structured, non-invasive treatment option during the earliest and most responsive stage of growth, when gentle orthopedic guidance may help support correction without rigid immobilization.
Metatarsus Adductus Heel Bisector Classification (HB)
MTA SEVERITY
MILD
20% non self correctedMODERATE
60% non self correctedSEVERE
100% non self correctedHB2
Normal
HB3
Mild
HB4
Moderete
HB5
Severe
Challenges of Serial Casting
Although casting has long been used in pediatric foot correction, it may also introduce practical and developmental concerns for both clinicians and families.
Restricted movement
Serial casting immobilizes the treated area and may limit natural kicking, movement, and day-to-day comfort during a critical stage of infant development.
Hygiene limitations
Because the cast cannot be removed daily, routine bathing, skin inspection, and general hygiene can become more difficult for parents and caregivers.
Parent burden and compliance
The casting process can be stressful for families, especially when frequent visits, skin concerns, discomfort, or uncertainty about the infant’s tolerance are involved.
Orthopedic Correction Process
How UNFO Works
UNFO is designed to support gradual forefoot correction through controlled orthopedic guidance during the most responsive stage of infant growth.
Identifies the inward curve
UNFO addresses metatarsus adductus by targeting the inward deviation of the forefoot during early infancy.
Applies gentle correction
The brace guides the forefoot outward using controlled, low-force orthopedic alignment
Preserves natural movement
Its below-ankle design allows infants to continue moving, kicking, and developing more naturally during treatment.
Supports gradual improvement
With consistent wear, the foot gradually improves and stabilizes over time
Clinical Advantages
UNFO was developed to offer clinicians a more flexible, parent-friendly, and development-conscious treatment pathway.
Non-invasive treatment option
Provides orthopedic correction without surgical intervention and without the rigidity of full casting
Below-ankle design
Supports correction while preserving more natural lower-limb mobility during daily activity
Removable for hygiene
Allows skin checks, sock changes, bathing, and improved day-to-day hygiene management
Parent-friendly use
Simple wear protocols may improve family cooperation, treatment consistency, and confidence at home.
Infant comfort focused
Designed specifically for infants, with emphasis on gentle correction and daily tolerability
Structured early intervention
Supports clinical management during the earliest and most responsive correction window
UNFO vs Serial Casting
A clinical comparison between a removable orthopedic brace and traditional immobilization-based treatment.
Feature
UNFO
Casting
Comfort
Comfortable and gentle for daily wear
Often uncomfortable and restrictive
Daily removal
Can be removed daily for hygiene and sock changes
Cannot be removed daily
Hygiene
Easier bathing, skin inspection, and cleaning
Hygiene management is more difficult
Mobility
Allows more natural movement during treatment
Restricts movement through immobilization
Parent routine
More manageable for daily family use
More demanding and disruptive for caregivers
Developmental comfort
Designed to support correction with infant comfort in mind
May interfere with daily comfort and handling
Treatment Protocol
A structured 3-phase treatment schedule designed to support correction first, then maintenance and stabilization.
Weeks 1–6
24 Hours Full-Time Wear
The brace is worn full-time during the initial correction phase to provide continuous gentle orthopedic guidance.
Weeks 7-9
15 Hours at Night
Once correction has progressed, treatment continues primarily during evening and nighttime hours
Weeks 10-12
12 Hours at Night
The final phase focuses on maintaining alignment and supporting long-term stability
Clinical Evidence
UNFO is supported by clinical thinking focused on early intervention, conservative correction, and infant-specific orthopedic design.
Novel device for nonsurgical correction of rigid forefoot adduction in children
Universal neonatal foot orthotics—a novel treatment of infantile metatarsus adductus
Metatarsus adductovarus (MTA): efficacy of treatment with UNFO braces
Screening for and treating the metatarsus adductus foot deformity
Clinical Results
Illustrative examples of alignment improvement achieved through structured early treatment.
Moderate metatarsus adductus – early intervention case
Before
After
A structured UNFO treatment protocol was initiated during early infancy, resulting in visible alignment improvement over the treatment course without casting.
Late infant presentation – conservative correction pathway
Before
After
Even in a later presentation within the infant treatment window, structured brace use supported meaningful correction and avoided escalation to more invasive options.
Integration into Clinical Practice
UNFO is designed not only for infants, but also for practical use within real clinical workflows.
Simple fitting pathway
Can be introduced as part of a structured conservative treatment plan without the procedural burden associated with casting.
Clear parent guidance
The treatment schedule is straightforward, making education and home adherence easier for families.
Follow-up friendly
Allows ongoing observation of alignment, skin condition, comfort, and compliance throughout treatment.
What Clinicians Say
UNFO provides a practical and thoughtful solution for infant metatarsus adductus, especially when comfort, parent cooperation, and gentle correction are priorities.
From a clinical perspective, the removable design offers clear advantages in hygiene, monitoring, and parent usability compared with more restrictive methods.
UNFO represents a more modern conservative treatment philosophy—one that respects both orthopedic goals and the developmental needs of the infant.
Doctors frequently asks
Patient selection is based primarily on age (under 9 months), flexibility of the deformity, and clinical assessment of metatarsus adductus severity. UNFO is typically most effective in flexible to semi-flexible cases during early infancy, when soft tissues are still highly responsive to guided correction. In more rigid or advanced cases, clinical judgment remains essential, and UNFO may be used as part of a broader treatment strategy or as an initial conservative approach before escalation.
Progress is typically assessed through visual alignment, clinical examination, and follow-up intervals similar to other conservative treatments. Because UNFO is removable, clinicians and parents can more easily monitor skin condition, positioning, and response to treatment. This accessibility allows for more dynamic follow-up compared to casting, where inspection is limited between replacements.
As with any conservative treatment, consistency is key. UNFO was specifically designed to improve parent compliance by being removable, easier to manage daily, and less disruptive to routine care. Clear wearing protocols, combined with improved comfort and hygiene access, often support better adherence compared to more restrictive methods. Education and follow-up guidance remain important components of success.
As with other conservative treatments for metatarsus adductus, long-term outcomes depend on proper adherence to the full protocol, including the maintenance phase. The structured reduction in wear time over 12 weeks is designed to support stabilization and reduce the risk of relapse. Continued observation and clinical follow-up are recommended to ensure alignment is maintained as the child grows.
Yes. UNFO is part of a growing clinical network focused on expanding access to early conservative treatment for infant foot deformities. Opportunities include clinical collaboration, distribution partnerships, and integration into orthopedic and physiotherapy practices. The product is supported by registered intellectual property and ongoing development. International shipping is available, and support materials can be provided for clinical onboarding, education, and patient guidance.
Join the UNFO Clinical Network
Whether you are looking to expand your conservative treatment options, access clinical materials, or introduce UNFO into your practice, our team is here to support you.