This week saw the first ever global Clubfoot Africa Conference take place on the African continent. Hosted by STEPS– the only non-profit organisation in South Africa that is focused on the treatment of clubfoot across the country (and further), and entitled ‘Moulding the Future’, this hybrid event saw no fewer than 238 attendees (131 gathering onsite in the beautiful Mother City, with a further 107 attending virtually worldwide). The talks are still available for more registered attendees to view virtually over the next three weeks. Attended by global experts and colleagues, it provided an opportunity to come together to discuss treatment options. As essentially, it provided a platform for all stakeholders, including patients’ families, to receive cutting-edge information.
Says Dr Prihoda, Clinical and Scientific Affairs Manager of MD Orthopaedics, the platinum sponsor for this event: “Clubfoot is a treatable condition[1]. However, it does require early detection, treatment and care. We have been honoured to be part of this inaugural Clubfoot Africa Conference. The entire STEPS South African team has done an exceptional job in organising this event and bringing key thought leaders from around the world together to discuss ways in which to eliminate clubfoot disability in Africa.”
While the gold-standard treatment of clubfoot has not really changed since Dr. Ponseti introduced his ground-breaking technique in the 1940s[2], advancements in education and training have introduced the Ponseti Method to every corner of the African continent. With a documented 95% success rate, the non-surgical Ponseti Method can be performed in even the most remote clinics by properly trained healthcare providers.
“Our Ponseti® Training Kit is designed to train these providers on the correct manipulation, casting, and tenotomy techniques, making Ponseti Method treatment available to children in villages and clinics across the continent,” continues Dr Prihoda.
The growing movement to eliminate clubfoot disability in Africa relies heavily on providers but also requires technological support. “The strong partnership between the South African Paediatric Orthopaedic Society (SAPOS), its current president Dr. Pieter Maré, and STEPS South Africa has done much to advance clubfoot treatment in the sub-Saharan region. Further, technological advancements such as Dr. Shafique Pirani’s innovative new mobile phone app continue to improve access to information for parents and providers alike,” he adds.
“The great work being done by STEPS South Africa, Clubfoot Africa, and SAPOS seeks to eliminate barriers to treatment on the African continent, and there are other agencies working to achieve the same goal in other low to middle income countries,” continues Dr Prihoda. An example is the Global Clubfoot Initiative’s (GCI) ‘Run Free 2030’ programme. It aims to improve access to treatment so that at least 70% of children born with clubfoot in these countries will have the chance to walk and run free for the rest of their lives.
These advances are crucial to the goal of eliminating clubfoot in Africa, where at least 50,000 children are born each year with the deformity –estimated as the second highest incidence in the world, second to Polynesia. According to the Ponseti International Association[3], of the 150,000 to 200,000 new cases of clubfoot annually, at least 80% of those are in the low and middle income countries.
“MD Orthopaedics is passionate about collaborating with STEPS, GCI, Dr. Pirani and others to make the Ponseti Method and Mitchell Ponseti® AFOs accessible to clubfoot children everywhere. Working together, we can ensure that every clubfoot child has access to treatment and the opportunity to live a pain-free and productive life,” stresses Dr Prihoda.
Says Karen Mara Moss, founder of STEPS and conference host: “This was indeed a momentous occasion. To have a focused two days with a collection of like-minded people, all of whom are fully committed to the treatment of clubfoot in order to prevent the long term disability caused by untreated clubfoot, has revitalized our collective energy and plans for collaboration and will pay dividends for years to come in the lives of these children.”
The conference line up saw speakers from no fewer than 18 different countries – 13 from Africa, one from the Middle East, three from Asia, one from South America, three from the UK and North America and two representing multiple countries in Africa.
Founded in 2005 by Karen Mara Moss, whose own son was born with clubfoot, STEPS is focused on introducing and promoting the non-invasive Ponseti method of clubfoot treatment and supporting families going through this journey.
For more information, please visit Clubfoot Africa Conference or contact STEPS.
[1] A common birth defect, clubfoot results in one or both feet (unilateral or bilateral) twisted inward and pointed downward. The foot is rigid and cannot be pushed back into the correct position. Most children born with clubfoot are not missing any bones, muscles, or connective tissue. It is also a congenital condition, meaning that when it occurs it is always present at birth.
[2] A non-invasive treatment, the Ponseti method requires a 4–8-week correction phase where the foot is gradually positioned into place with a series of manipulations and full-leg plaster casts, changed weekly. A minor procedure is than performed which can be done using local anaesthetic, after which the maintenance phase begins.
