Health Worker Spotlight: A Physiotherapist in Cambodia Gives Hope to a 6-Month-Old Suffering from Clubfoot

March 03, 2015
Ms. Sin Sokunthy, a 39-year-old physiotherapist, works as a technical coordinator at the Veterans International Cambodia's (VIC) Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Center. Ms. Sokunthy is in charge of the physiotherapy and prosthetic and orthotic programs at the center, meaning that she spends most of her day with her patients providing interventions for healing. The International Center focuses on issues between the United States and the developing world. The VIC project is one of the International Center's projects, implemented through a grant awarded under APC, that provides rehabilitation services to individuals with disabilities who are victims of war and poverty.
 
Follow Ms. Sokunthy as she treats her 6-month-old patient, Meth Panhasak, for clubfoot. Clubfoot is a birth defect in which an infant's foot is turned inward and, if not treated, the foot will remain deformed and the child will not be able to walk properly. However, with proper treatment shortly after birth, the majority of children are able enjoy a wide range of physical activities with little trace of the birth defect. Most cases of clubfoot are successfully treated with nonsurgical methods that may include a combination of stretching, casting, and bracing. Ms. Sokunthy performs these methods on her patient below.
 

Step 1: Ms. Sokunthy meets with her 6-month-old male patient, Meth Panhasak, who suffers from clubfoot and conducts an assessment of his performance.

Ms. Sokunthy conducts assessment performance for Meth Panhasak, a 6-month-old male with clubfoot, in the Kien Khleang clinic

Step 2: Ms. Sokunthy performs a manipulation technique to try and correct his bilateral foot deformities.

Ms. Sokunthy performs a manipulation technique to correct bilateral foot deformities

Step 3: Ms. Sokunthy and her co-worker apply serial castings to Meth's feet and legs to help maintain the corrected positions.

Ms. Sokunthy and her co-worker apply serial castings to maintain corrected positions

Step 4: The serial casting is cut off to open and check for any signs of pressure on the toes.

The serial casting is cut off to open and check for any signs of pressure on the toes

Step 5: After casting for 10 minutes, Ms. Sokunthy then checks for pressure signs on the toes.

Checks for pressure signs on the toes are conducted after casting for 10 minutes

Step 6: Once the casting is complete, Ms. Sokunthy provides leaflets and explains the home exercise program to his fater before he is discharged.

Ms. Sokunthy provides leaflets and explains the Home Exercise Program (HEP) before discharge

Step 7: Ms. Sokunthy then visits the home to follow up with the parents and ensure the implementation of the home exercise program and to check on Meth's progress.

Ms. Sokunthy visits the home to follow up with parents to ensure the implementation of the Home Exercise Program (HEP)

This manipulation and immobilization procedure is repeated every 1 to 2 weeks for 2 to 4 months, moving the foot a little closer toward a normal position each time. Some children have enough improvement that the only further treatment needed is to keep the foot in the corrected position by splinting it as it grows. Read more about the rehabilitation center.

Photos by Phan Hiep