Most. Tabassum A., 4

Most Tabassum Akter is a cheerful and affectionate four-and-a-half-year-old girl who lives with her parents and other family members in a rural village of Rangpur. Despite being born with a deformity in both feet, she remains playful and hopeful, always trying to join her siblings and neighborhood children in games, even though she struggles to walk and keep her balance. Her father, a farmer earning around 5,000 taka per month, is the only earning member of their five-member family, and his limited income is not enough to cover the cost of further corrective treatment. Without proper medical care, her condition may worsen, causing permanent difficulty in walking and affecting her independence and confidence as she grows. After learning about Helpster Charity through local youth volunteers Hanif, her family is seeking support so that Tabassum can walk freely and enjoy a normal childhood.

Most Tabassum Akter, a 4.5-year-old child, was diagnosed with Bilateral Relapsed Congenital Talipes Equinovarus (CTEV), commonly known as clubfoot, affecting both feet with recurrence after previous treatment.The treatment was carried out in a staged approach. In the first phase, serial casting under general anesthesia was performed at 14-day intervals to gradually improve foot alignment. As complete correction was not achieved initially, further serial casting was continued under general anesthesia in the next phase to reduce tendon tightness and improve residual deformity correction.The treatment has now been successfully completed, and the patient is showing good progress in recovery. Significant improvement in foot alignment has been achieved, and she is gradually moving towards normal walking ability.With the completed treatment, Tabassum is expected to walk normally or near-normally, participate in daily activities and play, and show improved confidence. Long-term risks such as gait abnormalities, joint stress, and balance issues are significantly reduced, and she is now on a positive path toward a better quality of life.

Doctors have advised a staged approach for the treatment of Most Tabassum Akter’s Bilateral Relapsed Congenital Talipes Equinovarus to ensure optimal outcomes and safe recovery. The treatment is planned in three phases. The first phase involves serial corrective casting under general anesthesia at fourteen-day intervals to gradually realign the feet. If sufficient correction is not achieved, the second phase includes surgical intervention such as Achilles tendon lengthening and Tibialis Anterior Tendon Transfer, which will relieve tendon tension and improve foot alignment. The third phase, if required, may include Tibialis Posterior fractional lengthening and Posterior Medial Release (PMR) to correct residual structural deformities and optimize functional walking ability. With timely and proper treatment, Tabassum is expected to regain improved mobility, walk with normal posture, participate in play and daily activities, and experience enhanced independence and confidence. Functional improvement will also reduce the risk of secondary musculoskeletal problems, abnormal gait, postural issues, and social or psychological stress associated with limited mobility. If left untreated, the deformity may worsen over time, leading to progressive difficulty in walking, compensatory stress on other joints, chronic pain, abnormal posture, and social limitations. Long-term consequences may include permanent gait abnormalities, restricted physical activity, and negative impacts on overall development and quality of life.