For Parents

 

Clubfoot information

What is clubfoot?

Clubfoot is a deformity present at birth that twists the foot downward and inward, making walking difficult or impossible. While it cannot be prevented, it can be corrected using a relatively inexpensive treatment process called the Ponseti method.

Read more about Clubfoot

Can it be treated?

Yes, clubfoot can be treated! We adhere to treatment through the Ponseti method, the gold standard of clubfoot treatment. The treatment phase involves weekly casting for four to eight weeks and, in most cases, a minimally-invasive outpatient procedure to lengthen the Achilles tendon, called a tenotomy. After this, in the maintenance phase, children wear a foot abduction brace for 23 hours a day for three months, and then at night and nap time until the age of five. Children born with clubfoot can take their first steps on completely straight feet thanks to early intervention and to this relatively simple, cost-effective treatment method.

Where can I get help?

We currently operate partner clubfoot clinics in 16 countries in Africa and Latin America. Click the “find a clinic” button below to see if there is a Hope Walks partner clubfoot clinic near you. If not, please contact us and we’ll do our best to refer you to someone who can help.

Find a Clinic

Parent Education Tool

A guide for parents of children with clubfoot. Download in your language.

English
Amharic
Chinchewa
Creole
French
Kinyarwanda
Kirundi
Portuguese
Spanish
Swahili

Video Resources

Hope Walks has been working in partnership with Medical Aid Films to create four films about clubfoot and the Ponseti method of treatment. These films are used to train parent advisors, as well as an educational tool for parents. Videos (with and without English/French subtitles) are available for streaming or download by clicking the images below. Currently the videos are in English, French and Portuguese. Within the next few weeks, Spanish, Amharic and Kinyarwanda translations will be available.

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Stories from Our Families

Unbelievable bravery

Unbelievable bravery

Sep 16, 2021

Clarens in Haiti   When you consider all of the turmoil going on in Haiti right now, it is amazing to consider the bravery of these families to get to a clubfoot clinic. But Markendy and Guerline would stop at nothing to get this treatment for their son Clarens....

All in the family

All in the family

Jul 31, 2021

Amandine & Ghyslaine in Burundi Families often carry a lot of baggage from one generation to another. For one family in Burundi, that baggage was clubfoot found in a grandmother, mom and two of her children. With so many family members born with this condition,...

Hope on the radio

Hope on the radio

Jul 31, 2021

Camila in Mozambique  When Camila was born with a twisted foot, Nazare and Rosa thought someone had cast a spell on their newborn daughter. However, they did not know they would find such hope when they first encountered this disability.  Camila, their...