Pediatric orthopedic company WishBone Medical, Inc. has entered into a distribution agreement with Bettendorf, Iowa based Clubfoot Solutions, Inc. for the Iowa Brace for pediatric patients.
The Iowa Brace “maintains the correction that has been achieved via the Ponseti Method and prevents relapse of clubfoot.” Under the terms of the agreement WishBone Medical is now the “exclusive pediatric medical device manufacturer to offer the Iowa Brace throughout the United States.”
The partnership expands WishBone Medical’s clubfoot deformity product platform. In the press release WishBone Medical EVP of Marketing Scott Williams explained, “Coupling the Iowa Brace with our Clubfoot Achilles Tenotomy (CAT) Kit, WishBone now offers a comprehensive solution to address clubfoot deformity.”
Williams continued, “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.”
Interestingly, Clubfoot Solutions is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
OTW spoke with Clubfoot Solutions Managing Director Todd Becker about the partnership and asked him how the Iowa Brace is superior to its competitors.
Becker explained, “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 [Ponseti International Association]. For them, 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.”
Becker continued, “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.”
OTW also spoke with Becker about goals for the partnership for the upcoming year and he said, in part, “Clubfoot Solutions is looking to gain significant market share in the estimated 15-million-dollar clubfoot bracing market within the United States by having a dedicated pediatric orthopedic company with strong relationships in this market space.”
Becker added, “With increased sales in the U.S. market Clubfoot Solutions is able to expand on its mission of ensuring children in low resource countries have a quality, comfortable and clinically proven clubfoot brace for their bracing treatment program.”
