The Ponseti Method

Corrective orthopedic surgery is the only alternative for older children and adults suffering from clubfoot to avoid life-long disability, however there is an effective, inexpensive, and permanent treatment alternative for children . The method was developed in the 1950s by Dr. Ignacio Ponseti.

The Ponseti Method involves a gradual correction of one or both of the afflicted feet by casting them in a progressively closer-to-normal foot position. Essentially the foot is slowly stretched back into a normal position. This, of course, takes time, and is most successful while the child is still young and the tissues are soft and pliable

Prof. Ruhal Haque is one of the leading orthopedic surgeons in Bangladesh. He is now Minister for Health. Prof. Haque has been successfully treating clubfoot babies in Dhaka for a number of years and is an enthusiastic supporter of the Ponseti technique.

When the final cast is removed the child is fitted with foot abduction braces