Pattern of Clubfoot Deformity and Adherence to Ponseti Treatment among Children with Clubfoot Deformity

Background: Clubfoot is painless in a baby, but it can eventually cause discomfort and become a noticeable disability if left untreated. These symptoms become more obvious and more of a problem as the child grows. Objective: This study was conducted to assess pattern of clubfoot deformity and adherence to ponseti treatment among children with clubfoot deformity. Methods: It was a cross sectional descriptive study. A total of 143 club foot children, age between 1 day to 5 years of both male and female were selected purposively to conduct this study. Face-to face interview method was adopted by using semi-structured questionnaire. Results: Most of the children were boys. More than one third (38.5%) children were in age group 13 to 36 months. Study found about 63 (44%) children had both feet deformity, 49 (34.3%) children had right foot deformity and rest of 31 (21.7%) children had left foot deformity. More than half (53.8%) of the children had typical flexible clubfoot deformity. The second highest (25.9%) children had typical rigid deformity and rest of 12.6% and 7.7% had atypical rigid and atypical flexible clubfoot deformity respectively. About 67.1% (96) children were needed bracing followed by plaster casting 32.2% (46) and 0.7% (1) was given home advice. Majority (88.8%) of the respondents reported that they have been taking treatment regularly where 11.2% (16) reported that they were irregular in taking treatment. Conclusion: This study presents a patient with Congenital Talipes Equino Varus successfully managed by Physical Therapy approach. Finally, there is need to decentralize clubfoot treatment services away from referral hospitals to the people in the community through outreach programs.