“It always seems impossible until it’s done.”
NELSON MANDALA
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The arrival of your new baby can be both exciting and daunting, and most definitely life changing. If your baby has been born with one or both feet that curl or turn inwards you will be guided with care and treatment options depending on the severity.
Whether you are settling in to life with your new baby, or part of the way through the clubfoot journey, register below to access ideas and activities you can do safely at home to support the process of change and prepare your baby for what may lie ahead…
The Infant Foot
When your baby is born their feet are immature with 22 partially developed bones. There is more space and soft tissue present than bone (see image), compared to the fully developed adult foot which has 26 bones, 33 joints and many ligaments and muscles.
The lack of structure is what makes it possible for their foot to curve inwards, the amount of soft tissues and the fact that it is still growing makes it possible to treat clubfoot successfully with the Ponseti Method.
Dr. Ignacio Ponseti revolutionized the treatment of clubfoot while at the University of Iowa in the 1940s. Dr. Ponseti’s legacy lives on through Ponseti International Association and Clubfoot Solutions. The two organizations are working together to deliver the Ponseti Method to children everywhere, and hope that the Iowa Brace will finally realize Dr. Ponseti’s dream of a high quality clubfoot brace for every child born with this deformity.
The Iowa Brace was developed at the University of Iowa as an extension of Dr. Ponseti’s egalitarian efforts to ensure that children across the world would have access to the best clubfoot brace, regardless of their economic or social circumstances. The combination of innovation and humanitarian considerations allow the Iowa Brace to be affordable for all families, everywhere.
Clubfoot Solutions, Inc., is a 501(c)(3) non-profit Iowa-based organization.
Bernie chats with Maureen Hoff – a clubfoot mum
In this episode we discuss how important feet are in to the developing infant brain. I am thrilled to bring you this episode because Bernie is so passionate about feet. Bernie talks about ways that parents can help stimulate the feet for continued development during casting and BnB phases of treatment. Bernie has so many insightful tips for parents and has dedicated time to creating resources just for the clubfoot community, This episode is worth the listen and I am so grateful to Bernie for being a guest!
