'I have never touched my feet to the ground like that'

" Since I learned to walk, my feet have been two knees ."

Nguyen Thi Trang was born with club feet and short heels. Because her legs could not be straightened, she could only move on her knees when she grew up. When she was 6 years old, her family took her to a hospital in Hue for treatment. The surgery was unsuccessful, and the doctors could not find a viable solution to save her legs.

Before surgery, Trang could only move on her knees and was able to walk on her feet after surgery.

Photo: BVCC

However, when Trang was in 5th grade, the Charity Fund for Children found out about her and took her to FV Hospital for examination . Dr. Le Trong Phat - Head of the Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, FV Hospital, found that the patient's knee joint could not be straightened because the muscles were contracted, the patient could only stretch 60 degrees. Because the legs were not used much, the muscles did not develop, Trang's two calves atrophied, the knees directly contacted the floor during movement, so they became rough and hard.

According to Dr. Phat, Trang 's legs need to have two problems solved : the knee joint and the foot - if these two parts are adjusted straight again , Trang will be able to walk again.

Surgery to "pull" cramped legs back to normal position

Having the opportunity to be treated to walk on her own at a major hospital, with all expenses covered by the Children's Step Up Fund, Trang and her family could not hide their hope and excitement. "When I heard Dr. Phat say he would try to help me walk again, I was so happy and I put all my trust in him," Trang emotionally recounted.

In November 2022, Trang had surgery on her left leg by Dr. Phat and the team from the Orthopedic Trauma Department , cutting and loosening the tendons so that the contracted nerves could stretch . Next, the doctor adjusted the axis of Trang's foot to be straight.

After an extremely meticulous surgery, Trang's knee joint - which previously could only be extended to 60 degrees - could now be extended to 20 degrees , 2 weeks later it could be extended to 10 degrees, and then fully straightened.

Trang's left leg after foot alignment surgery

Photo: BVCC

Tears of happiness

After the cast was removed, Trang was instructed to practice walking on her left foot with crutches under the support of FV Hospital's physiotherapists . For the first time in her life, her feet touched the ground. The feeling of coldness from the floor transmitted through the sole of her foot made her suddenly startled and pull her foot back. Tears of happiness rolled down the little girl's cheeks. " I have never been able to touch my feet to the ground like that ," Trang said emotionally.

In July 2024, the second surgery by Dr. Phat's team to correct the contracted knee joint and correct the axis of Trang's right foot was successful.

Trang happily learns to walk with the care of her mother and physical therapist.

Photo: BVCC

After 7 months of rehabilitation training, Trang happy to be able to walk on both legs with crutches. Doctor Phat predicts that I will soon be able to walk normally without crutches.

According to Dr. Le Trong Phat, congenital clubfoot like Nguyen Thi Trang's is not rare, but if detected early, it can be cured with orthopedic plaster cast. Therefore, Dr. Phat recommends that parents should observe and detect their children's condition early to treat them promptly, avoiding serious surgeries later.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/con-chua-bao-gio-duoc-cham-ban-chan-minh-xuong-dat-nhu-the-185250324201129681.htm