Awareness program organized on World Clubfoot Day at UHSR

Rohtak, June 3, 2026: On the occasion of World Clubfoot Day, the Department of Orthopedics at Pt. Bhagwat Dayal Sharma University of Health Sciences organized a special awareness program on Wednesday for children suffering from clubfoot and their parents. The event was attended by children currently undergoing treatment, their parents, and the entire team of the Clubfoot Clinic. Children suffering from clubfoot joined the Registrar and Head of the Department of Orthopedics, Dr. Roop Singh, to cut a cake. During the event, food items and gifts were also distributed to the children.

Dr. Roop Singh stated that clubfoot is not an incurable condition. If treatment begins immediately after birth and is followed by regular check-ups, the child can lead a completely normal life. He emphasized that parents need not panic; rather, it is essential to reach the hospital and initiate treatment in a timely manner.

He explained that clubfoot—characterized by congenitally twisted feet—is the most common musculoskeletal deformity. Approximately one in every thousand newborns is born with this condition. If left untreated, a child may face lifelong disability and experience difficulties in walking; however, with timely treatment and proper care, the feet of 95% of affected children can be completely corrected. He urged parents to remain patient and not to discontinue the treatment midway.

Coordinator of the Clubfoot Clinic, Dr. Jitendra Wadhwani advised that parents should immediately consult an orthopedic specialist if they observe symptoms such as one or both of a newborn's feet turning inward, the heel appearing smaller than usual, or the foot being twisted in an abnormal direction. He further informed that a Clubfoot Clinic is currently operational at PGIMS, Rohtak, under the leadership of the HoD Orthopedics, Dr. Roop Singh. The clinic functions every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday. Treatment here is administered using the internationally recognized Ponseti method, which involves serial casting, minor surgical procedures (when necessary), the use of specialized shoes and braces, counseling, and long-term follow-up care.

He said that approximately 20 children visit the clinic every working day for plaster application, examinations, bracing, and rehabilitation. Under the Clubfoot India Program—in collaboration with CURE India—treatment, bracing, counseling, and follow-up services are provided here completely free of cost. To date, more than 1,000 children have been successfully registered and treated at the facility.

HoD Dr. Roop Singh, appealed to parents and healthcare workers to immediately contact their nearest health center or PGIMS, Rohtak, should any newborn exhibit the aforementioned symptoms. The sooner treatment is initiated, the more quickly and easily the feet can be corrected.