Boys Born with Crooked Feet Should Play Football Unrestrained After Treatment: An Inspiring International Story

Ms. Helen Adebayo pondered over how she might manage when her child came into the world with a deformed limb. In that instant, something inside her broke apart. She feared he would never have the ability to walk because of how sharply twisted his legs were. This realization brought forth an immense weight of duty upon her shoulders.

“I was in such distress. I was unable to comprehend it. I never missed my antenatal visits, so I pondered what might have gone wrong. How will I ever be able to care for him if he is disabled? I kept asking myself,” said Mrs Adebayo, a 30-year-old petty trader from Ikereku.

Amazement, outrage, self-reproach, guilt, and sadness are typical feelings encountered by numerous families, like Mrs. Adebayo’s, upon initially receiving a diagnosis of this condition that leads to one or both feet turning downwards and pointing inwards.

Clubfoot is a congenital condition, meaning it is present at birth, in which a baby’s foot or feet turn inward. While it will not resolve on its own, early treatment can lead to positive outcomes for children. Approximately 1 in every 1,000 newborns is affected by clubfoot, making it one of the most prevalent congenital foot deformities.

Mr. Obatunde Oladapo, who serves as the Executive Director of the PLAN Health Advocacy and Development Foundation (PLAN Foundation), emphasized that parents ought to know this deformity can be corrected and ideally should be addressed right after the child is born.

However, as the baby grows older, challenges may arise. The child may struggle to wear regular shoes, experience discomfort, and find it difficult to participate in activities such as playing football. This concern is particularly pronounced when the affected child is a girl, as it may impact her future marriage prospects.

“The child may develop low self-esteem and struggle to interact with others. Attending school could be challenging, as peers may laugh at him or her,” he added.

Mr. Oladapo, however, stated that babies born with crooked feet, a condition known as treatment, need to correct the issue, and the sooner this is addressed, the better. Ideally, treatment should begin a few weeks after birth.

He mentioned that via MiracleFeet, the Plan Foundation, and other collaborators, young children up to five years of age suffering from clubfoot at birth can obtain complimentary corrective care at multiple healthcare facilities throughout Nigeria, such as the Ring Road State Specialist Hospital in Ibadan and the Bowen University Teaching Hospital in Ogbomoso.

“No child is too young to receive treatment for this foot abnormality. We will provide transportation funds for low-income parents to ensure they can attend the clinic, as they mustn’t miss their appointments. We guarantee a treatment success rate of over 90%. Parents should seize this opportunity to help their children regain mobility and lead a normal life.”

Clubfoot is not a punishment, a curse, or an ill omen; it is a treatable condition in 95 percent of instances via mild manipulation, casting, and frequently a simple surgical procedure.

“This procedure involves a series of casts to reposition the foot, followed by a brace that should be worn for 23 hours each day for the first three months after correction. After this initial period, the brace is worn only at night for an additional 4 to 5 years.”

Mr. Oladapo stated that clubfoot is more common than many people realise, although there are widespread assumptions that it is more prevalent in the northern region of Nigeria.

He stated, “Clubfoot is prevalent and treatable. However, it is often perceived as a punishment, a curse, or a bad omen. This stigma has resulted in children being denied access to free treatment. Many believe that it is a punishment or curse from a higher power. Such misconceptions can lead to feelings of guilt and shame among parents and caregivers who may lack adequate information.

“It is a congenital condition, meaning it cannot be transmitted through physical contact or proximity to someone with a foot deformity. Therefore, we need more people to come together to dispel this myth and prevent unnecessary social isolation for those affected. This misconception can also deny children access to free treatment and hinder the treatment process, potentially leading to a relapse.”

Mrs Oluwaponmle Fabiyi, the manager of the Club Foot and Orthotrauma Clinic at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), stated that the abnormal positioning of the foot can be detected via ultrasound by 20 weeks of pregnancy.

She stated that treating clubfoot, which might affect newborns because of genetic irregularities, crowded conditions during multiple births, nervous system disorders, and various other reasons, requires complete engagement and dedication from the parents for successful outcomes.

The difficulty lies in getting parents to comply with using the braces. A lot of them find the braces bothersome, and others simply refuse cooperation. Additionally, some children take off their braces because they fear being mocked by peers or due to small conflicts at the vaccination center.

Mr. Oladapo advised expectant mothers to make sure they go to their prenatal check-ups. These visits help spot any issues through regular ultrasounds conducted over the course of the pregnancy. Should an issue be detected, patients can get proper guidance, which helps them psychologically ready themselves to tackle the problem soon after the baby arrives.

He stated that the federal government ought to incorporate clubfoot evaluations into newborn health screenings to guarantee early detection and timely treatment for all children affected by clubfoot.

ALSO SEE: Top Remedies for Misaligned Teeth

Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. Syndigate.info ).