Quantitative Analysis of Barriers to Clubfoot Treatment Experienced at a Tertiary Care Institute in India

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The Ponseti method of treating clubfeet is considered the gold standard. However, there are specific barriers to implementing the Ponseti method for clubfoot treatment, especially in developing countries like India. METHODS: This is a retrospective study on patients who underwent the Ponseti method for clubfoot treatment at a tertiary care hospital in India. A total of 110 patients were enrolled for this study and were interviewed at the initiation of treatment and at each follow-up to identify the barriers, and their correlation to dropout rate was analyzed. RESULTS: On applying binary logistic regression, which shows the cumulative effect of all variables, the effect of the parent accompanying the patient was significant on compliance and dropout rate. CONCLUSION: Informed parents play a significant role in compliance with the treatment. The study results can help formulate an action plan to improve adherence to the Ponseti method for treating clubfoot throughout India and other developing countries.