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Success! Baston from Tanzania raised $1,160 for clubfoot treatment to help him walk.

Baston
100%
  • $1,160 raised, $0 to go
$1,160
raised
$0
to go
Fully funded
Baston's treatment was fully funded on April 2, 2016.

Photo of Baston post-operation

May 5, 2016

Baston received clubfoot treatment to help him walk.

“Baston is on the initial treatment to correct unilateral clubfoot,” explains our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation. “Manipulation and casting is done once every week and that will continue for a few more weeks before a small surgery is done, followed by the use of a night cast. Complete treatment will allow Baston to walk on plantigrade.”

“I trust that complete treatment will straighten my little brother’s foot allowing him to walk properly,” his sister shared. “We will all be happy when he can walk properly. I am happy and thankful for the financial support.”

"Baston is on the initial treatment to correct unilateral clubfoot," explains our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation. "M...

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March 17, 2016

Meet Baston, a carefree and talkative three-year-old boy from Tanzania. Since birth, Baston has lived with unilateral clubfoot, where his right foot is turned inward. He uses the lateral part of his foot to walk, which has affected his gait. “He will be at risk of developing osteoarthritis at a young age if untreated,” reports the staff at our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation. “Despite his condition, Baston likes to walk and run around with other children.”

Baston started clubfoot treatment when he was 18 months old. Unfortunately, the person in charge of the treatment left Baston’s village, and his family was unable to afford care at a different hospital. Baston’s mother cares for the children at home and owns a kiosk where she sells drinks, while his father farms peanuts and maize.

Baston will need to undergo further treatment to fix his clubfoot. Treatment will consist of stretching and manipulating the foot into the correct position, followed by casting, physiotherapy, and rehabilitation. After four months, Baston will no longer use the lateral part of his foot to walk.

$1,160 will cover the cost of the treatment and four-month rehabilitation stay. “He will have better gait and reduced risk of developing osteoarthritis,” AMHF explains.

“I love my little brother very much, we all do,” Baston’s older sister shared at their pre-operative interview. “I will be happy to see him able to walk like we do.”

Meet Baston, a carefree and talkative three-year-old boy from Tanzania. Since birth, Baston has lived with unilateral clubfoot, where his ri...

Read more

Baston's Timeline

  • March 17, 2016
    PROFILE SUBMITTED

    Baston was submitted by Esupat Kimerei, Rehab Surgery Project Assistant Coordinator at African Mission Healthcare.

  • March 18, 2016
    TREATMENT OCCURRED

    Baston received treatment at Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre (ALMC) in Tanzania. Medical partners often provide care to patients accepted by Watsi before those patients are fully funded, operating under the guarantee that the cost of care will be paid for by donors.

  • April 1, 2016
    PROFILE PUBLISHED

    Baston's profile was published to start raising funds.

  • April 2, 2016
    FULLY FUNDED

    Baston's treatment was fully funded.

  • May 5, 2016
    TREATMENT UPDATE

    Baston's treatment was successful. Read the update.

Treatment
Clubfoot
  • Diagnosis
  • Procedure
  • Symptoms
  • Impact on patient's life
  • Cultural or regional significance

​What kinds of symptoms do patients experience before receiving treatment?

The foot is turned inward, often severely, at the ankle, and the arch of the foot is very high. Patients experience discomfort, and the affected leg may be shorter and smaller than the other.

​What is the impact on patients’ lives of living with these conditions?

These children have a difficult time walking and running. Years of trying to walk on a clubfoot will cause wounds and other skeletal problems, such as arthritis. Patients will have difficulty fitting in shoes and participating in normal play, school, and daily activities. Many Africans make their livings through manual labor, which can be difficult with an untreated clubfoot.

What cultural or regional factors affect the treatment of these conditions?

Incidence is 1/1,000 live births, or about 1,600 cases in Tanzania annually. This is roughly similar to rates in Western countries, though many cases may be missed. There is no known reason for its occurrence in this region.

  • Process
  • Impact on patient's life
  • Risks and side-effects
  • Accessibility
  • Alternatives

What does the treatment process look like?

Patients will undergo a series of small operations, casting, and manipulations during their course of treatment. Patients will stay in the Plaster House, a rehabilitation center for children in Tanzania, for as long as their recovery takes.

What is the impact of this treatment on the patient’s life?

The bones and joint will become aligned, and long-term disability will be prevented.

What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?

Clubfoot is very treatable. The surgery is minor and not risky.

How accessible is treatment in the area? What is the typical journey like for a patient to receive care?

Care is not easily accessible. Most patients live in remote, rural areas and are identified through mobile outreach. The pediatric surgical program at Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre was started to meet the large burden of pediatric disability in the region.

What are the alternatives to this treatment?

There are no alternatives. If not treated, the condition will persist and will result in disability.

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.