News
Semeda at the baby carrying Symposium in Isernhagen
Carrying babies with clubfoot correctly
The Tragenetzwerk e.V. (Carrying Network) provides parents with specific advice on how best to carry their child on their body – for example, with a sling, carrier, back or front carrying system. At the beginning of July, carrying consultants from all over Germany and beyond met in Isernhagen to discuss current issues and solutions. One of the highlights of the symposium was the presentation by physiotherapist Birgit Kienzle-Müller on the topic of “Carrying children with special needs.” As a manufacturer of clubfoot braces, we were invited to the symposium to accompany a total of three workshops with our expertise and our orthotic systems.
Anything is possible
The small picture gallery on the right shows the many different ways in which babies with clubfoot braces can be carried directly on the body.
Further information about the Tragenetzwerk e.V. (in german) can be found here
The orthosis is no obstacle
A key question in the workshops was: Can parents carry their baby despite the clubfoot brace? And if so, how? Various methods and systems were tested using mannequins wearing clubfoot
orthoses. Three “real” children also volunteered to test our orthoses. The results were consistently positive. Clubfoot braces are no obstacle to carrying the baby directly on the body, both on
the stomach and on the back. Particularly practical: babies can usually be placed in the carrier or wrapped in a sling even when the brace is in place. Some systems allow the brace to be
supported or stabilized.
Strengthen bonding, increase acceptance
Good for babies with special needs: Carrying babies close to the body strengthens the bond between parents and child. In addition, it can help promote acceptance of a splint:
When carrying, the focus is not on the aid, but on enjoying being close to each other. That is why we would like to encourage parents not to stop carrying their children during splint treatment.
We were particularly pleased with the positive feedback from the carrying consultants. The workshop deepened their understanding of Ponseti clubfoot therapy and reduced their reservations. This
enables them to advise affected parents even better. The workshop was therefore more than worthwhile for us.
Material donation
Little brother, little sister
Just like his sister Alexandra, Ostap was born with clubfoot, but on both feet. And just like Alexandra, he benefits from a material donation to the parents' initiative Ukrainehilfe Domdai e.V. Schwaikheim. A real advantage: in case his motivation for splint treatment should ever wane, he has a role model in his big sister who proves every day that a completely normal life is possible with Ponseti-corrected feet!
For doctors, orthopaedic technicians, physiotherapists and parents.
This was the Ponseti Clubfoot Day 2025 near Bremen
On 25.01.2025 we organized a clubfoot day together with the experienced paediatric orthopaedist Dr. Ute Brückner at the KatTa physiotherapy practice near Bremen. Clubfoot children and their parents, doctors, orthopaedic technicians and physiotherapists
took part. This multi-professionalism enabled a lively exchange between all those involved with clubfoot, which enlivened and enriched the course.
Three different modules each focused on one topic. In Module 1, the children taking part in the course enabled a practical demonstration of Zukunft-Huber physiotherapy, which is used
primarily for recurrences, and in Module 2, the correct splint application was practiced on model feet and the single-leg splint application was practiced on a now large child, treated as a baby
according to Ponseti. There was enthusiastic applause in between! The Module 3 covered the basics of Ponseti therapy with lectures and practical exercises on redression and plaster cast
application, tenotomy of the Achilles tendon and recurrence therapy after Ponseti.
As a reward, the children were allowed to ride ponies. Local companies and even patients provided excellent refreshments. The proceeds from the course will be donated to the clubfoot project “Fire Children” in Tanzania. The first interdisciplinary “Semeda Clubfoot Day” ended with
satisfied faces and many new experiences and acquaintances. We would like to thank all participants, active helpers on site and our co-sponsor, the medical supply store Medisan. See you next time!
Charity
Feedback after five years - Alexandra with fully functional feet
Five years ago, we supported little Alexandra with a donation of material via the Ukrainehilfe Domdai e.V. Schwaikheim parents' initiative for clubfoot treatment according to Ponseti. Now the mother has updated us with an e-mail! Alexandra leads a completely “normal” life and can take part in all activities without any problems.
“Unfortunately, I can't forward the little video of her bouncing to you by e-mail.
So just the photo and a big thank you.”
The result is a motivating encouragement for all those who are still in the middle of treatment! We are delighted with the success - and wish Alexandra and everyone else all the best for the future.
X-Mas Donation
Firechildren Tanzania
A strong project for 25 years
The Fire Children project started in 2000 as a one-off aid programme - but has now been an integral part of the healthcare system in Tanzania for almost 25 years. We learnt about the project last
year as part of our work as a specialist in clubfoot treatment after Ponseti and are supporting the project for the second time this year with our Christmas donation.
‘Feuerkinder’ has set itself the goal of improving the challenging health care of the population in Tanzania through a charity campaign based on donations and voluntary work. To this end, a team
of orthopaedic surgeons, anaesthetists, theatre nurses, physiotherapists and an orthopaedic technician travel to the Nkoaranga Hospital in northern Tanzania one to three times a year.
The team operates on and treats children and adolescents with deformities of the arms and legs, such as clubfoot, as well as pronounced X and O-B deformities, free of charge. Clubfoot treatment
according to Ponseti has been part of the treatment spectrum since 2006. In the meantime, a separate department for clubfoot children has been set up at the Usa River Rehabilitation Centre and a
clubfoot network has been established in northern Tanzania in cooperation with Miracle-Feet.
In October, the fortieth ‘Feuerkinder mission’ took place - with 111 operations in just three days of surgery. In total, over 2,500 operations and around 8,000 outpatient treatments have been
carried out since Feuerkinder was founded.
You can find out more about the project at
Social
First aid for children - learning to help through play
We are there!
What do I do in case of burns, a tick bite or poisoning? And above all: How can I help others in an emergency? District Administrator Heiko Blume and K&L Verlag have set themselves the goal of answering these questions in a child-friendly way and have published an easy-to-understand colouring and workbook for girls and boys of primary school age. We think: That's a good thing!
That's why we're supporting the project
The book, with lots of pictures to colour in, teaches first aid skills in a playful way. It tells the story of siblings Mario and Olivia, who guide us through various episodes together with their dachshund Waldi. On 32 pages, they give tips and advice on burns, heatstroke, tick bites, poisoning and shocks. This gives children age-appropriate knowledge on how to behave correctly in an emergency and how to call for help. At the same time, teachers, educators and parents can discuss and practise the illustrations with the children.Thanks to the support of many local companies, the colouring books and workbooks can be distributed free of charge to primary school children in the district of Uelzen. A commitment that we are very happy to support.
