Social and Individual Impact

An estimated 30 million people globally have an orthopaedic condition that impairs their mobility. Thus, this is the most common impairment, with a large percentage of patients living in developing countries.

Orthopaedic impairments can dramatically affect quality of life, and even shorten the life span if left untreated. With impaired mobility, affected people may not be able to sit, walk or handle things on their own.

As educational and employment opportunities are often negatively affected due to difficulties in using transportation, the impaired person experiences serious social and economic disadvantages.

Orthopaedic impairments affect people universally but, as living conditions play a crucial role, the cases accumulate in developing countries.

• Clubfoot, one of the most common congenital deformities worldwide, affects at least one in every 1000 babies born.


• Malnutrition is responsible for bone softening, resulting in angular bone deformity (severe "knock knees" or bow legs).


• Contraction of diseases that may cause polio, cerebral palsy, and tuberculosis of the spine.


• Poor living conditions, a lack of hygiene and a lack of medical care further increase the risk of orthopaedic impairment.

To prevent orthopaedic impairments that result from preventable diseases, it is important to focus on health education, nutrition and immunisation. This includes relatively simple procedures such as:

• Raising awareness of the importance of cleanliness and medical care.


• Raising awareness of the importance of vitamin-rich foods for the development of strong bones.


• Monitoring births to avoid conditions resulting from complicated births.


• Administering polio vaccinations to prevent polio and post-polio syndrome.

Where orthopaedic impairment is already established, physiotherapy, orthopaedic surgery, and providing impaired persons with mobility aids (e.g. braces, walking splints, orthopedic shoes, and wheelchairs) can greatly improve the quality of life.

Information on clinical conditions causing orthopaedic impairment:
Angulatory Bone Deformities
Burn Contractures
Cerebral Palsy
Chronic Bone and Joint Infection/Osteomyelitis
Clubfoot
Congenital Limb Deformities
Polio
TB of the Spine


Information on CBM’s programmes for people with orthopaedic disabilities:
Programmes for People with Physical Disablities
Interdisciplinary Programmes