clubfoot

I work with the CURE Clubfoot Worldwide program.  This is a program that was developed in 2005 to help combat the number of children who end up with untreated clubfoot late in life.  Simply put, clubfoot is a birth defect of the bones in the foot - instead of being straight, the foot will turn in on itself (that's the best I can explain it, anyway).  The hospital here in Kijabe began in 1999 and has seen many many cases of children -- up to the age of 18, sometimes 20 -- with severe untreated clubfoot.  Clubfoot is painful and often prevents the children from participating in normal activities: walking to school, chores around the house, etc.  Some must be carried on their mothers' backs until they are 10 or older, thus preventing the mothers from being able to work or care for the rest of the family easily.  No shoe properly fits. Feet get severely scarred.  Surgery is the only option for these children. That, too, is painful. And expensive. And not totally effective.

But, thanks to the clubfoot program children under the age of two can be treated by serial casts, a simple procedure to release the tendon in the ankle, and a special brace that must be worn for a couple of years after treatment.  This eliminates, or dramatically reduces the need for surgery. Children have a better chance of being "normal," attending school, running, playing, etc.  Last year, the clubfoot program treated -- and cured -- over 4,000 children born with clubfoot. The program is currently in: Kenya, Malawi, Ethiopia, Ghana, Rwanda, Zambia, Niger, Afghanistan, Cambodia, Guatemala, Honduras, Dominican Republic, Haiti, and India. 2011 will be a major expansion year, too, thanks to a major grant.

Today, I had the opportunity to take some pictures of children who have clubfoot but are getting treatment. I feel a little uncomfortable to put pictures of their faces on here since they're not my children.  But this will show you what the treatment can look like.

 unilateral clubfoot in a cast 

 bilateral clubfeet awaiting a cast

 bilateral clubfeet in the cast (note: the cast has to go all the way to the thigh in order to be effective)

Steenbeck Brace - a special brace that holds the feet in position. Must be worn for several years to ensure effectiveness.

Getting a cast put on

The best part about this program is that it trains paramedical staff (not doctors) to do the treatment - making it cheaper and also more easily accessible. For example, Kenya has 25 or more clubfoot clinics located throughout the country, meaning that more children are reached, and they don't have to travel all the way to the hospital for treatment.  

The other great thing is that it is fairly inexpensive! For $250.00 a child can be completely transformed and healed.  I'd say that's a pretty good deal!

So, go check out CUREs website and read more about it! :)