Aiming to raise awareness within the community, the clubfoot clinic at Ngwelezana Hospital will today (Thursday) observe World Clubfoot Day.
On this day global awareness of the condition is raised, and is of special significance in southern Africa where more than 11 000 children are born with clubfoot each year.
About 2 000 of this number are children born in South Africa.
Dr Barnes of the hospital’s orthopaedic department said about 150 000 – 200 000 children are affected globally each year, and the incidence rate in southern Africa is considered high.
‘Clubfoot is the most common musculoskeletal birth defect globally,’ said Dr Barnes.
‘It is a condition where a baby is born with one or both feet twisted downwards and inwards in a rigid position. ‘If left untreated, the child will be unable to wear shoes or walk normally, leading to a life of disability, isolation and pain.
‘Unlike many other birth defects, clubfoot is treatable,’ said Dr Barnes.
‘At Ngwelezana Hospital, clubfoot clinics are held every Friday in the orthopaedic outpatient department.
‘We treat approximately 50 patients a month who are referred by various clinics and hospitals across northern KZN, and we achieve great results using the Ponseti method (serial plasters and maintenance boots).
‘While partaking in a recent small study, it was made clear that there isn’t enough awareness of this deformity. This leads to late presentation or patients going untreated.
‘The team at Ngwelezana Hospital would like to take this opportunity to spread awareness of the clubfoot condition, and further emphasise that it is a correctable deformity,’ Dr Barnes said.
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