When Gibrillia Kamara was one year old, his mother took him to a government hospital, where his clubfeet could be corrected through casts. Unfortunately, the removal of the first set of casts disclosed a deep sore on his left foot.
Africa Surgery started a treatment of regular dressing changes, with antibiotic ointment. But the sore continued to fester, his pelvis began to swell and he developed active sinuses. On top of that, he tested positive for tuberculosis. We started him on a regimen of strong anti-TB medications. Six months after successful completion, Gibrillia still had a small, deep sore on his left ankle, often soiled from crawling on the ground.
Africa Surgery’s orthotics team designed and fabricated a pair of removable orthopedic boots that will begin to bend Gibrillia’s feet and ankles into a straighter alignment. In combination with the socks provided, this will help keep his feet clean while his sore continues to heal.
Gibrillia is the youngest of our seven patients with clubfeet. They will be corrected when our specialist from Germany will visit Sierra Leone again. He will also surgically straighten the clubfeet of older people who cannot have them corrected through serial casting. After Gibrillia starts to walk, being able to walk on the bottoms of his feet will decrease the risk of injuries and infection.