Child's adjustable metal lower leg iron, with shoe, England, 1940-1960

Child's adjustable metal lower leg iron, with shoe, from the Lord Mayor Treloar Orthopaedic Hospital, Alton, Hampshire, England, 1940-1960

Polio and rickets are two conditions that can cause the leg bones of children to become deformed. Fixed to the child’s leg using the leather straps, the leg iron was used to encourage bones to grow straight. A shoe, which is adjustable in height for when the child grows, is attached so the leg iron can be worn outside and with comfort. The leg iron was used at the Lord Mayor Treloar Orthopaedic Hospital in Alton, Hampshire, England. Founded in 1908, the hospital specialised in treating children with orthopaedic conditions – primarily caused by tuberculosis and polio.