The Clubfoot or Congenital talipes equinovarus is a birth defect in which the foot is twisted out of shape or position and which mostly presents itself at birth.
The cause of clubfoot is still unknown but babies born with it are usually otherwise healthy.
The condition doesn’t cause any discomfort or pain but the minor’s leg may appear twisted and can even look as if it’s upside down.
According to Bungoma County Clubfoot Coordinator Isaac Ekadel, “Every Wednesday which is a clinic day we see over 25 patients,” he said.
He stated that so far 800 patients have healed while they are still attending to over hundred cases which are still under their management.
He described clubfoot treatment as one of the most difficult ones.
“It includes stretching and casting (Ponseti method) or stretching and taping (French method) sometimes surgery is also required,” he said.
Bungoma Clubfoot Clinic is fully sponsored by Hope Walks (Clubfoot of Ken
ya Hope Walks) which provides them with gloves, free clubfoot, soft bans, kettles and basins which helps them with the management of patients.
We have several types of clubfoot which include ideopathic, arthrogryposis, equinus, metatarsus and Atypical which are managed at the Medical facility.
“There are only 27 clubfoot clinics in the country which manages the conditions, BCRH being one of them,” he said.
Ekadel pointed out that BCRH clubfoot clinic manages patients from as far as Uganda, Kakamega, Busia and Trans Nzoia Counties.
They have pereferral facilities like Webuye County Referral Hospital where the rehabilitation team are on high alert to inform the County team of any cases of clubfoot.
He lauded Bungoma County Referral Hospital Med Sup Dr.Simon Kisaka for the great support he has extended to the clinic in ensuring that they perform as expected.
“He is a great team member, he has helped us a great deal and we have come this far because he has held our hands,” said Ekadel.
He called on the County government to train more health workers on clubfoot so that they are able to offer corrective measures to the condition.
“So far out of 800 children born, only one is born with the condition and we encourage the public to bring such children to us for corrective management,” he said.
He stated that to succeed in the management of the condition, they work as a multi sectoral team with paediatricians, occupational therapists, nurses, physiotherapists and orthopedic technologists.
