A survey of club foot cases in southern Nigeria using radiographic request forms

Abstract

Background: Clubfoot is a birth defect where the foot is inverted and
twisted inwards. If not corrected, affected individuals usually walk
with the side of their feet or ankles.
Methods: A survey of cases of clubfeet (Talipes equinovarus) was
carried out in two orthopedic hospitals and one rehabilitation center
coded NOHI, NOHE and SJRC in three cities (Lagos, Enugu and
Essien-Udim) each representing a zone in Southern Nigeria. Patients’
clinical history and biodata were collected from their radiological
request forms between years 2000 – 2005. Number of cases in each
zone, age at presentation for correction, patients’ gender, foot and
number of feet affected were recorded.
Results: A total of 1202 clubfeet cases were recorded. About
713(59.3%) were males and 489 (40.7%) were females. Highest
number of cases was in Lagos (56.5%) followed by Essien Udim
(21.8%). Majority 599(49.8%) of the children were presented between
1 – 6 months after birth. About of 97(76%) of patients who were
presented after 30 weeks were from the South-South region of
Southern Nigeria. Bilateral involvement was predominant (59.2%)
followed by unilateral right sided involvement (23.2%). A ratio of
1.5:1 was found between males and female patients.
Conclusion: The highest number of cases recorded was in densely
populated areas with a greater male to female ratio. Bilateral
involvement is common and a greater proportion of children are
presented within the first six months of birth. Late presentation for
treatment in South-South Nigeria may be due to ignorance, poverty
and lack of orthopedic hospitals and specialists to provide quality
services