09/09/2026
[New Rehabilitation Technology] The "Ballerina's" Journey of Transformation
Source: Department of Child Health and Rehabilitation, Gushi County Maternal and Child Health Hospital
In the exercise room of the Child Rehabilitation Department at Gushi Maternal and Child Health Hospital, one often sees children who initially walk on tiptoe, resembling "ballerinas." Later, therapists wrap their legs in material that looks like gauze. This is actually a new physical therapy method: orthopedic casting tape technology.
I. What is a orthopedic casting tape ?
orthopedic casting tape s are an alternative to traditional plaster casts. Used in a technique known as the modified Ponseti method, they immobilize joints at specific angles. By providing continuous stretching to spastic or contracted muscles and the soft tissues surrounding the joints, they correct deformities in children's upper and lower limbs.
II. Who is this treatment suitable for?
It is suitable for a variety of secondary musculoskeletal issues, including equinus (toe-walking), bowlegs (O-legs) or knock-knees (X-legs), knee flexion or hyperextension (genu recurvatum), tibial torsion, inward or outward foot rotation, clubfoot (talipes equinovarus), dynamic deformities caused by neurological or muscular disorders (such as wrist drop due to cerebral palsy), and multiple joint contractures.
III. What are the advantages of orthopedic casting tapes?
Compared to traditional plaster cast therapy, orthopedic casting tape s offer advantages such as comfort, safety, painlessness, lasting results, and rapid effectiveness. Once the limb is immobilized, functional training can continue; the bandage helps the child maintain the correct posture during exercises, thereby enhancing the training outcome.
IV. Case Study
Shuoshuo was born on March 4, 2020, and did not walk independently until the age of 1 year and 10 months. Once he learned to walk, he moved about on tiptoe like a "ballerina" and fell frequently. On July 5, 2023, his mother brought the then 3-year-4-month-old Shuoshuo to the Child Rehabilitation Department at Gushi Maternal and Child Health Hospital for treatment. A physical examination revealed inward rotation of both feet, an equinus gait (toe-walking), weak gluteus medius muscles, an inability to jump, and an inability to stand on one leg. Subsequently, physicians and therapists conducted a professional assessment of Shuoshuo and devised a personalized rehabilitation plan. They decided to incorporate polymer casting technology alongside traditional physical therapy and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) massage. After three sessions of polymer casting treatment, Shuoshuo’s toe-walking showed significant improvement; the little "ballerina" was finally able to lower her heels.
A friendly reminder: If children exhibit abnormalities such as toe-walking, knock-knees (valgus deformity), knee flexion or hyperextension (genu recurvatum), tibial torsion, or inward/outward rotation of the feet, parents should treat the matter seriously and seek medical attention promptly.