Pediatrics: Ponseti Method for Clubfoot Correction
Course Details
Date: Jun 3, 2026. 7:30 am
Location: Skill Lab, Al Najaf Teaching Hospital
Course Goals
The primary goal of this course is to master the Ponseti method of clubfoot correction. Participants will learn the biological and mechanical rationale behind the Ponseti technique.
Target Participants
- Orthopedic Residents (All levels).
- Pediatric Physiotherapists.
- Primary Care Physicians involved in early newborn screening and referral.
Learning Objectives
At the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Accurately Score Clubfoot: Utilize the Pirani Scoring System to assess the severity of the deformity and track progress throughout the treatment.
- Demonstrate Ponseti Manipulation: Identify the "lateral head of the talus" as the fulcrum for correction and master the manual stretching techniques.
- Execute Serial Casting: Apply well-molded, long-leg plaster casts that maintain correction without causing skin pressure sores or "rocker-bottom" deformities.
- Perform Percutaneous Achilles Tenotomy: Identify the indications for tenotomy and demonstrate the surgical technique for correcting residual equinus.
- Manage the Maintenance Phase: Educate parents on the critical importance of the Foot Abduction Brace to prevent relapse.
Course Highlights
- Hands-on Workshop: Practice manipulation and casting on pediatric foot models.
- Parent Counseling Seminar: Strategies for improving bracing compliance—the most significant factor in preventing clubfoot recurrence.
- The "Complex Clubfoot": Dedicated discussion on identifying and managing atypical or "stiff" clubfoot patterns that deviate from standard protocols.