AFM'S FIRST ORTHO PRE SCREENING IN TOGO

The orthopedic pre screening held at the CNAO Clinic in Lome, Togo, West Africa, targeted children 15 years of age and under.  Dr. James McDaniel, Dr. Frank Haydon, and Dr. Gary Douglas assessed a number of children with bow loges, deformed hands and clubfoot.  Several infants and young children were accepted for entrance into the Ponseti program, which is being offered throughout the Togo field service.

The Ponseti technique, developed by Dr. Ignacio Ponseti over 50 years ago, is a conservative way to manage Clubfoot in young children.  This method consists of a series of casts and gentle manipulation of the foot into a position that is more properly placed, and requires only a minor surgical procedure to lengthen the Achilles tendon.  According to Dr. McDaniel, the Ponseti method is the gold standard of care which has been used worldwide for many years.  Unfortunately, most doctors in the area are untrained in this procedure.  Consequently, it has never been used in West Africa before now.

Under the leadership of Dr. McDaniel, this program is now being instituted in Togo onboard the Africa Mercy.  Because the full treatment requires up to four years for completion, other groups will be learning the procedure in order to continue the program after the field service is complete, Mercy Ships will supply all the cast materials and any other supplies required for the six months the ship is in Togo.

We hope to manage at least 60-70 crippled children with this program," said Dr. McDaniel. "We are delighted to be able to offer this opportunity to the children of Togo."

Photo: Liz Cantu