Factors Affecting Parents to ‘Drop-Out’ from Ponseti Method and Children’s Clubfoot Relapse

Completed treatment of congenital clubfoot deformity using the non-surgical Ponseti method yields very good results. However, many children do not complete the treatment course, potentiating relapse of the deformity, forever compromising independent gait and quality of life. If the factors precipitating ‘drop out’ from treatment can be averted, more children will complete the Ponseti method of treatment which has low rate of complication and is both economical and highly effective. Children depend on parents to bring them to the clinics, hence we aimed to identify factors obstructing parents and ultimately the children’s outcomes. Once identified, barriers to completing treatment may be removed.