Did you know that one in every 1,000 newborns is born with clubfoot? This means that there are millions of people living with this condition around the world. Unfortunately, many of them will experience a relapse after treatment. This post will discuss the countries that have the highest relapse of clubfoot rate.
5 Countries with the Highest Clubfoot Relapse Rate
Several factors can contribute to a high relapse rate for clubfoot, including the patient’s age at the time of surgery, how well they follow up with rehabilitation instructions and environmental factors. Here are five countries with the highest clubfoot relapse rate.
1. India
India has the highest relapse of clubfoot rate globally, with an estimated 60-70% of patients experiencing a relapse within five years of surgery. This high percentage is due to lack of access to quality healthcare, poverty, and cultural beliefs that can lead to delayed treatment. The majority of relapses occur in children older than two years at the time of surgery.
2. China
China has a clubfoot relapse rate of 50-60%. Like India, this is due to a number of factors, including a lack of access to quality healthcare and poverty. Additionally, there is a cultural belief in China that foot deformities are caused by supernatural forces, leading to delayed treatment.
3. Nigeria
Nigeria has a clubfoot relapse rate of 50%. This high percentage is due to a lack of access to quality healthcare and poverty, and many Nigerians believe that clubfoot is caused by witchcraft.
4. Turkey
Turkey has a relapse of clubfoot rate of 40-50%. This high percentage is due to a lack of access to quality healthcare, and many Turks believe that foot deformities are a sign of bad luck.
5. Pakistan
Pakistan has a clubfoot relapse rate of 30-40%. This high percentage is due to a lack of access to quality healthcare, and many Pakistanis believe that evil spirits cause foot deformities.
How Common is Clubfoot Relapse?
More than 24,000 children with clubfoot were treated at Ponseti clinics worldwide in 2015. More than 55 countries responded to our request for information, including 79% of all anticipated cases of clubfoot. In most countries, coverage was less than 25%.
Within the lowest-income country category, there were more responses and coverage. 31 nations have a national clubfoot program, with the majority made possible through public-private partnerships.
The relapse rate was seven percent compared to 78 percent in non-compliant patients. Relapses were not associated with age at presentation or the number of casts required for treatment.
Is Clubfoot Curable?
Some cases of clubfoot may be resolved with treatment, while others may require ongoing care. However, it is essential to note that the relapse rate for clubfoot is high, meaning that a significant number of people who initially recover from the condition will experience a recurrence at some point in their lives.
To reduce the likelihood of relapse, it is important to seek timely and appropriate treatment for clubfoot. Treatment options vary depending on the severity of the condition. But it may include physical therapy, bracing, or surgery.
