A new study has found that a treatment method for clubfoot requiring minimal surgery may be a more effective form of treating the birth disorder.

According to a study conducted by the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons that will be published in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, 55 patients with 86 clubfeet were treated with one of two methods: surgical correction and the less invasive, manipulation-based Ponseti method.

Among the two procedures, only one foot using the Ponseti method required revision surgery, while 14 feet using the surgical method required revision surgery. While both methods had similar relapse rates, the Ponseti-treated patients needed less significant revision treatments than those who had surgery.

"Any infant born with clubfoot should be taken to an orthopedic surgeon specializing in pediatrics, preferably within the first few months of life," said Dr. Matthew Halanski, the study’’s author. "While primary surgical treatment may still be required in select cases, we strongly advise any parent who receives a recommendation for surgery as primary treatment to seek a second opinion."

Because many people who are starting a family must be careful with their finances in order to have enough money to take care of their newborn child, the development of any problems following the birth may require medical costs that some cannot afford.

For families with a newborn suffering from clubfoot and in need of the Ponseti method of treatment who are lacking funding for the medical care, payday loans may be able to provide some financial assistance.

This entry was posted on Sunday, January 31st, 2010 at 5:03 pm and is filed under Health Money Saving News and Tips. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.