The End of Plaster Casts? A New Brace Offers a Gentler Path for Newborns

TEL AVIV, Israel – June 23, 2026 – For any new parent, the list of worries is long. But for the parents of the nearly 7% of newborns with a condition called Metatarsus Adductus (MTA), where the front of the foot turns inward, that worry has historically been compounded by a difficult treatment path. The standard of care has long been serial casting—a cycle of applying and removing rigid plaster casts over several months, a process known to cause significant distress, discomfort, and hygiene challenges for both infants and their caregivers.

Now, a fundamental shift is underway, driven not by a complex surgical robot or a breakthrough pharmaceutical, but by a deceptively simple, sandal-like brace. UNFO Med Ltd., an Israeli innovator in pediatric orthopedics, has partnered with U.S. market leader OrthoPediatrics to bring its Universal Neonatal Foot Orthotics (UNFO) system to American families. This partnership doesn't just introduce a new product; it challenges a decades-old treatment paradigm, placing a premium on compassionate, non-invasive care and offering a glimpse into a future where medical success is measured as much by patient comfort as by clinical outcome.

A Common Condition, A Painful Tradition

Metatarsus Adductus is one of the most common congenital foot deformities. Caused by misalignment in the midfoot joints, it's often identified at birth by a distinct C-shaped curve to the foot. While some mild cases resolve on their own, moderate to severe cases require intervention. If left untreated, the condition can lead to a cascade of long-term problems, including chronic pain, difficulty fitting shoes, gait abnormalities that cause frequent falls, and even an increased risk for developmental hip dysplasia.

For generations, the primary tool for correction has been serial casting. Every week or two, an infant’s foot is manipulated and locked into a plaster or fiberglass cast to gradually straighten it. While effective in many cases, the human cost is high. The process is stressful for the baby, and the rigid, irremovable casts create a host of practical problems for parents. Bathing becomes a logistical nightmare, skin irritation is a constant concern, and the infant’s natural desire to kick and move is frustratingly restricted.

“The distress associated with traditional casting is significant,” noted one pediatric orthopedic specialist. “You have an infant who is already uncomfortable, and you are repeatedly subjecting them to a procedure that is frightening and confining. The impact on the family’s daily life is immense.”

The Sandal That Straightens

It was this very challenge that pediatric orthopedic specialist Dr. Izak Daizade sought to solve. After spending thirty years treating newborns with MTA and witnessing the trauma of casting firsthand, he dedicated a decade to focused research to find a better way. The result is UNFO—a short, discreet orthotic worn below the ankle.

Instead of immobilizing the entire foot and lower leg, the UNFO brace applies gentle, consistent pressure directly to the tarsometatarsal joints, addressing the three-dimensional deformity at its source. Made of soft, breathable materials and resembling a small sandal, the device is designed for both efficacy and comfort. It can be removed daily for bathing and hygiene, allows for natural ankle and leg movement, and eliminates the need for repeated, stressful clinic visits for recasting.

The clinical results are compelling. Dr. Daizade has treated over 15,000 patients with the brace, achieving a 95% success rate. Peer-reviewed studies have validated its effectiveness, with research showing UNFO treatment to be as effective as serial casting but with a significantly shorter mean treatment duration and higher rates of family satisfaction. With both FDA and CE approval, the device has cleared the highest regulatory hurdles for safety and efficacy.

From Tel Aviv to Main Street: A Strategic Disruption

An innovative product, however brilliant, is only as effective as its distribution. This is where the partnership with OrthoPediatrics becomes a critical piece of the story. Based in Warsaw, Indiana, OrthoPediatrics is the only publicly traded company focused exclusively on the pediatric orthopedics market. It has a formidable sales and distribution network, with relationships in children’s hospitals across the United States and in over 70 countries worldwide.

By adding the UNFO brace to its Specialty Bracing division, OrthoPediatrics is not only expanding its portfolio but also accelerating the adoption of a disruptive technology. For UNFO Med Ltd., the partnership provides immediate access to the largest healthcare market in the world, bypassing the years it might otherwise take to build a distribution channel from scratch. For OrthoPediatrics, it reinforces its market position as a comprehensive provider of pediatric solutions, embracing the industry-wide shift toward less invasive and non-operative care.

This collaboration is a textbook example of how a nimble innovator and an established market leader can join forces to accelerate change. It signals a move away from entrenched, albeit effective, methods toward alternatives that offer a superior patient experience.

Redefining Success in Pediatric Care

Ultimately, the story of the UNFO brace is about more than just technology or market strategy; it’s about redefining what constitutes successful medical intervention. The goal is no longer simply to straighten a foot, but to do so in a way that minimizes trauma and respects the well-being of the infant and their family.

“This represents more than a technological advancement—it’s a fundamental shift toward proactive, compassionate pediatric orthopedic care that spares infants unnecessary pain and trauma,” Dr. Daizade stated in the announcement. His words cut to the core of this innovation's true value.

Parental feedback from clinical studies underscores this point, with reports highlighting the ease of use and the relief of avoiding the casting process. By allowing a baby to be a baby—to kick, wiggle, and be bathed without restriction—the brace integrates treatment into daily life rather than letting it dominate it. In an age of relentless technological acceleration, it’s a powerful reminder that sometimes the most profound innovations are those that give us back a measure of simplicity and humanity.