Parents of infants born with clubfeet always look for the best
treatment that can cure this disease permanently. The majority of clubfeet can
be corrected in infancy in about six to eight weeks with the proper gentle
manipulation and plaster cast. In medical science, this disease can be
cured by surgical and non-surgical methods. But, most of the orthopedic
doctors recommend non-surgical methods because their chances of correcting
deformity are higher than clubfoot surgery.
It is found that over the course of six to eight weeks,
clubfoot may be corrected without surgery. One of the standard treatments to
cure clubfoot is ponsite method. It is a manipulative technique that corrects
the deformity without invasive surgery. When to compare to other clubfoot
treatments, it has become a gold standard of treatment.
Ponsite method is done in two phases:
·
Casting-
Which gradually move the foot in the correct position
·
Bracing-
Which makes sure it stays there.
How stretching and casting perform?
A doctor moves a baby’s foot in a correct position and then
places it into the cast to hold it there.
• Then reposition
and recast the baby’s foot once or twice a week for several months.
• At the end of the
process generally, the doctor performs the clubfoot surgery to lengthen Achilles.
• Many studies have
been shown that, if doctors perform stretching and casting properly then there
might be a chance foot of a new-born baby will return into an original
position.
How Bracing performs?
A clubfoot brace has two parts, a bar and special shoes
(boots) that attach to the end. The function of bar to keeps the clubfoot in the
correct position so it doesn’t twist back where it was come before casting.
Both feet get braced, no matters If the clubfoot in the one side.
The bracing phase lasts up to 2 to 5 years. A child has to
wear the clubfoot all the time expect (bathroom and washroom) for 3 months,
then only in the night.
The casting phase is known as the correction phase, it only
corrects the position of the foot. But, bracing protect a foot to not return where
it has come before casting. Bracing is a very important phase after stretching
and casting. Though brace may look uncomfortable, but, it’s up to you to make
sure that your child wears braces round the clock for 3 months at least.
Recovery:
Bracing and extra care are important parts of the
recovery process. You have to wear a brace for long as three months round the
clock. You can also seek for physical therapy after the ponsite method to
achieve the best results.
Over to you:
If your child is born with clubfoot, then seek for an
immediate doctor help. As soon as you make an appointment of orthopedic doctor
for a treatment the chances of curing this deformity will be increased. While
taking treatment, follow all the instructions carefully of a doctor and keep a
cheerful attitude in front of your baby. The ponsite method is successful for
all kids with clubfoot.
