"World Clubfoot Day 2021"-June 3rd- Early identification and intervention is very important

#WorldClubfootDay2021
As a survivour with #clubfootdeformity I always join partners and the world yearly to commemorate the #worldclubfootday so as to contribute my voice to raise awareness on clubfoot. On this year's clubfoot day I specifically wanted to raise awareness on identification from birth and early intervention through the ponseti method. Thanks to PT Ncheh Divine Ndikum of PRESTREC, Bonaberi, Douala
who granted his audience in an interview to share with me about the Ponseti Method. He said:
Ignacio V. Ponseti is credited for developing a comprehensive technique of treating congenital clubfoot in the 1940s. One of the major principles of this technique is the concept that the tissues of a newborn's foot, including tendons, ligaments, joint capsules, and certain bones, will yield to gentle manipulation and casting of the feet at weekly intervals. By applying this technique to clubfeet within the first few weeks of life, most clubfeet can be successfully corrected without the need for major reconstructive surgery. The Ponseti technique has become the most widely practiced method for initial treatment of infants born with clubfeet. It is an easy technique to learn and, when applied accurately, it yields excellent results. The average duration of cast application is about 4.9 weeks, a majority of clubfoot (75.5%) are treated for five weeks and can be about 92% successful. But treatment duration depends on many factors like age and severity of clubfoot
The Ponseti Technique (Summarily)
The corrective process utilizing the Ponseti technique can be divided into two phases:
1.      The Treatment Phase - during which the deformity is corrected completely
The treatment phase should begin as early as possible, optimally within the first week of life. Gentle manipulation and casting are performed on a weekly basis. Each cast holds the foot in the corrected position, allowing it to gradually re-shape. Generally, five to six casts are required to fully correct the alignment of the foot and ankle. At the time of the final cast, the majority of infants (70% or higher) will require a percutaneous surgical procedure (with a small incision through the skin) to gain adequate length of their Achilles tendon.
2.      The Maintenance Phase - during which a brace is utilized to prevent recurrence
During each of these phases, attention to the details of the technique is essential to minimize the possibility of incomplete correction and recurrences. The final cast remains in place for three weeks, after which the infant's foot is placed into a removable orthotic device. The orthosis is worn 23 hours per day for three months and then during the night-time until 5 years of age. Failure to use the orthosis correctly may result in recurrence of the clubfoot deformity. Good results have been demonstrated at multiple centers, and long-term results indicate that foot function is comparable with that of normal feet.
https://prestrec.cm

Veronica Ngum

Clubfoot Survivour 

BamendamCameroon