The aim of World Clubfoot Day is to raise awareness of clubfoot disability and its prevention through non-surgical techniques such as the Ponseti method. In fact, World Clubfoot Day is on June 3rd because it is the birthday of the inventor of the method, Dr. Ignacio Ponseti (1914-2009) was.
Clubfoot is a complex, congenital deformity of the foot, also known as "congenital talipes equinovarus" (CTEV), which is caused by the abnormal development of the bones, ligaments and muscles of a baby in the womb. 150,000-200,000 babies with clubfoot are born worldwide each year, about 80% of them in countries with low and middle income.
If left untreated, the clubfoot deformity causes a lifelong handicap, as the person concerned experiences pain and difficulty walking. People with untreated clubfoot have difficulties accessing education, employment and social exclusion.
It is tragic that children go untreated, considering that most cases of clubfoot can be successfully treated by a multidisciplinary team of health care professionals using methods that may include a combination of stretching, cast and braces, one of which is the Ponseti's method is most often used.
What is the Ponseti method?
The Ponseti method has been gaining popularity since the 1970s and has completely replaced previous methods of treating clubfeet in many countries. The Ponseti method consists of 2 equally important phases: the correction phase and the maintenance phase.
During the correction phase, the position of the foot is gradually corrected through a series of manipulations and plaster casts. Finally, a small outpatient procedure is performed to sever the Achilles tendon (tenotomy). The correction phase usually lasts 4–8 weeks and the baby is examined weekly for treatment.
After completion of the correction phase and a good position of the foot the treatment is not yet finished as the foot tends to return to its deformed position, therefore the goal of the maintenance phase is to keep the corrected position for the next 4–5 years. This is achieved by placing the child's feet in an orthosis for 23 hours a day for the first 12 weeks and then at night up to the age of four to five years.
How can you find out more about clubfoot?
Learn Physioplus
In 2017, Physiopedia, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and the Global Clubfoot Initiative worked together to create a MOOC on how to use best available practices for dealing with children with clubfoot.
Over 7,000 clinicians from 156 countries took part in the MOOC, and since then a further 1,600. The overwhelming majority found the course enjoyable, the right length and the content at the right level. The course is still available for you to participate and is also available in French.
Take the course today
Free resources on physiopedia
There are over 30 physiopedia pages dedicated to clubfoot. Below you will find a selection to help you get started with the necessary basics for a solid knowledge base about the disease.
Wonderful feet
MiracleFeet aims to improve access to appropriate treatment for children born with clubfoot in low and middle income countries by partnering with local health care providers. Physiopedia is proud to work with them on the ReLab-HS project.
As part of World Clubfoot Day, they tell the story of Mr. Klumpfuss, a pioneer who works in Uganda to train and care for health workers dealing with the disease. History is a must see, which gives you an insight into how health systems can work together to make a lasting and meaningful impact on people's lives.
