June 3rd is officially World Clubfoot Day, an initiative of the Ponseti International Association to commemorate the birthday of Ignacio Ponseti, the pioneer of the Ponseti technique for clubfoot.
Clubfoot, also known as Congenital Talipes Equinovarus, is a complex, congenital deformity of the foot, that left untreated can lead to a lifelong mobility impairment.
The Global Burden of Clubfoot
With 80% of children born with clubfoot from low-and middle-income countries it is important that treatment is effective and affordable. Thanks to Ignacio Ponseti that treatment exists.
Many different treatment methodologies for clubfoot have been used but since the 1970’s the Ponseti Method of treatment has grown in popularity and has completely replaced the previous methods of treating clubfoot. Numerous research studies in countries across the globe in the last 20 years have shown that in more than 90% of cases of newborn children with idiopathic clubfoot it can be treated effectively with the Ponseti technique. The Method’s efficacy is backed up by a large and growing body of evidence, and has now become the treatment of choice for clubfoot.
At Physiopedia we are Big Fans of the Ponseti Method
During November and December 2017, Physiopedia ran their 6th MOOC and the chosen topic was Clubfoot. The course was ran in collaboration with the ICRC and Global Clubfoot Initiative and had a remarkable 7,277 participants from 156 countries. The course had a real MDT feel about it with Physios, OTs, Nurses and Doctors all learning and collaborating together to share knowledge and improve the treatment of children around the world.
The course introduced the theory of pathoanatomy, etiology and epidemiology underpinning idiopathic clubfoot. This knowledge was then applied to clinical contexts of MDT working and provided a theoretical understanding of management techniques and related clinical considerations. Feedback from participants really highlighted the positive clinical impact the course had on day-to-day working. The fact that the course has been acredited reflects this value.
The course is still available on PP+ so why don’t we mark our respect of World Clubfoot Day by signing up to the course together?