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

Treasure among the trash

Treasure among the trash

May 13, 2020

Jabo in RwandaMukeshimana works long hours as a cleaner at a Catholic church picking up pieces of carelessly discarded waste. When people saw her little boy Jabo with clubfoot, they too viewed him as worthless as the garbage his mom picks up for a living. But God had...

Weathering the storm

Weathering the storm

Mar 18, 2020

Anita holds her daughter Elizaby Linda Hansen, Hope Walks regional director of AfricaHope Walks runs a weekly clubfoot clinic at Beira Central Hospital in Mozambique. On Saturday, March 14, 2019, Beira was hit by Cyclone Idai, a devastating category 5 storm that wiped...

Clubfoot answers at the speed of the…internet

Mar 9, 2020

When their daughter Adele was born with clubfoot, her parents wasted no time in finding out what the condition was and where it could be treated by doing some research on the internet. In fact, even with no knowledge of clubfoot, Orlando and Candy had their daughter...