Clubfoot times four – Twin girls have life changing Ponseti treatment
Two year old twin girls Odirile and Ofentse Boshupeng were two months old when they first came to Maitland Cottage Children’s Orthopaedic Hospital in Cape Town for their treatment.
Mom Dorothy Boshupeng says: “We found out that the girls had clubfoot prior to me giving birth, at my week 24 scan. We had never heard of clubfoot, however when we told our families, my mother in-law told us that my husband Boitumelo’s older brother had clubfoot on the one foot.”
How would you describe the treatment journey for both your children?
“It was scary at first finding out about our girls having clubfoot, both the twins and on both legs, and having no idea about it. But after we did our own research we found that it wasn’t really an issue, we found that it was correctable, and we had prepared ourselves mentally and emotionally.
My husband and I worked optimistically throughout the journey. We were very positive, we were also very excited because they are our first children. The paediatrician, physiotherapists, and orthopaedic surgeons were all very helpful and encouraging. We followed all the instructions given.. We worked very well as a team to remove the casts, to have the new casts put on every Friday.
We had faith and trusted that everything would work out well for both our daughters and importantly to show our babies unconditional love and care.”
How many casts?
“In all they had about 10 casts each”
Tenotomy?
“They both had a tenotomy, I was personally scared about it, the thought of my babies being in pain. My husband was the one who went in the room for each of them to have the tenotomy, I could not bring myself to look, and see my babies cry.”
Clubfoot brace?
“After the tenotomy they started with the boots and bar all day, with one hours break for a period of three months. After that it was only during nap time and at night-time
They were still small and couldn’t yet walk so it wasn’t an issue. It was like they enjoyed having boots on their feet and enjoyed banging them against the bed, until they wanted to start moving around and not have them on their feet anymore.”
Any advice for a parent with a new baby, just born with clubfoot?
“My advice would be to first do your research about what clubfoot is, speak to the doctors and clinic staff and also the previous patients and you will get peace of mind that everything will be okay.
Also, follow the doctor’s instructions for the treatment, go to the clinic as instructed, put the brace on and look for any changes on your baby’s feet. If there is a problem, visit the clinic and ask questions, always stay positive that everything will be ok.
We are so happy that we took our girls to Maitland Cottage. The clinic staff went above and beyond and helped us each step of the way. Both girls’ feet now look, and are, completely normal. Nobody can believe it when we explain that the girls used to have clubfoot.”
