Feet turned inward

Club foot is a common congenital orthopaedic condition which turns a child’s feet inwards.

Their legs bow outward at the knees, causing problems with walking and mobility.

The best way to correct bow legs before permanent damage is the non-surgical Ponseti method while the children are young.

Feet are massaged into a better position, then plaster-of-paris is applied. The process is repeated every two weeks until the feet are in the correct position.

Sadly, not all children with club foot are found as babies. The good news is we can still help.

For older children, orthopaedic surgery straightens legs and feet so they can learn to walk again, and be ready to achieve their full potential.

He also has a severe case of club foot.

Although he hobbles along quickly beside Dr Peter, his right foot is folded under and he’s walking on the outside of his ankle.

It took his mum 12 hours and a fortnight’s wage just to bring him to CBM’s orthopaedic hospital in Tanzania.

If not for donations to CBM, she would never have been able to afford the operation that will repair Sergio’s twisted bone - or the months of physiotherapy afterwards to make sure he’s fully healed and walking normally.

“I am thanking God. A miracle has happened for my son,” says Sergio’s mum.

“When I grow up, I want to play football,” says Sergio, with another cheeky grin.

• The Ponseti method of curing club foot costs $350
• Orthopaedic surgery to correct bowed legs in older children costs $347
• 20% of CBM’s surgical cases are children with club foot