August 3, 2016
Three-day old Phiona was born with the rare condition of congenital dislocation of the knee, where the knee bends backwards in her right knee joint. She was referred to Bwindi Community Hospital from a local health facility which is not capable of correcting this abnormality.
Early treatment for this condition has a very high rate of success. The treatment is similar to that for clubfoot: a series of casts as the child grows holding the joint in place so the muscles and ligaments around the joint tighten and realign. If treatment is delayed, surgery may be necessary.
Phiona is the first child of Doreen and Brazio, who live in rural southwest Uganda. Doreen works on their small plot of land and when she is done, she helps Brazio in his butcher shop. “I like working with my husband in his shop, because we plan for our future together. We want to have only two children so we can provide for them to go to school,” her mother shared.
Three-day old Phiona was born with the rare condition of congenital dislocation of the knee, where the knee bends backwards in her right kne...
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October 20, 2016
Phiona received successful knee treatment.
Phiona was fitted with three casts around her right knee, which were designed to hold her knee in place while surrounding muscles and ligaments realigned and tightened. Now, her knee bends normally.
Phiona is doing so well that she can return home without a cast and begin physical therapy. Her mother learned to administer the physical therapy and will return to the hospital in two weeks for an assessment of her daughter’s progress. As she grows, Phiona will have normal use of her right leg.
“I didn’t know there was help for my beautiful daughter and thought she would be suffering her whole life,” says Phiona’s mother. “Thank you so much.”
Phiona was fitted with three casts around her right knee, which were designed to hold her knee in place while surrounding muscles and ligame...
Read more