Clubfoot is a medical condition in which an infant’s foot is turned inward, often to the point where it appears sideways or upwards. Current statistics suggest that about 1 in 1,000 newborns will have a clubfoot, meaning it’s actually one of the more common congenital foot deformities. The good thing about clubfoot is that it is not painful during infancy. That being said, if the condition isn’t treated, the foot will remain deformed, which can lead to abnormal gait. With good treatment, the majority of children are able to either fix the clubfoot or cope with little trace of the deformity. Most children will experience good results with nonsurgical treatment, but surgery can help others with more severe cases. If you have questions about clubfoot and the treatment options available, contact Atlanta foot and ankle surgeon, Dr. Lance Silverman today!
Clubfoot Causes & Symptoms
Medical experts aren’t exactly sure about the causes of clubfoot, but most people believe it is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. There is evidence that families with a history of clubfoot are more likely to have a child with the condition. The condition is usually physically caused by short and tight tendons that connect leg muscles to the foot, which causes the foot to turn inward.
There are usually no symptoms associated with the clubfoot, but as we mentioned above, it needs to be treated in infancy, otherwise it can lead to inhibited gait, abnormal foot pressure and potential for pain.
Clubfoot Diagnosis & Treatment
Clubfoots are present at birth, but oftentimes they can actually be diagnosed in a prenatal ultrasound. Roughly 50 percent of children will have clubfeet in both their feet, and boys are twice as likely to suffer from the deformity than girls.
Clubfoot is usually grouped into one of two major classifications:
- Isolated clubfoot is the most common form, and it occurs in children with no other medical deformities.
- Nonisolated clubfoot occurs in children whose clubfoot is associated with a larger condition, like a neuromuscular disorder such as spina bifida.
Atlanta Clubfoot Doctor
The goal of treatment is to work towards a functional, pain-free foot that enables healthy standing and walking with the child’s sole flat on the ground. Common treatment methods include:
- The Ponseti Method – This is the most widely used corrective technique in North America and throughout the world. It involves using gentle stretching and casting to gradually fix the deformity. Treatment begins shortly after birth, but it’s also been successful in treating older babies.
- Manipulation and Casting – In this technique, the baby’s foot is gently stretched and manipulated into the correct position and then held in place with long-leg casts (toes to thigh). This process is repeated every week to reposition the cast until the clubfoot improves, which usually takes about 6-8 weeks.
- Achilles Tenotomy – This technique is the same as the Manipulation and Casting treatment method, but it also involves a very quick and minor surgical procedure to release the continued tightness in the Achilles tendon. By the time the cast is removed after roughly 3 weeks, the clubfoot is usually gone.
- Bracing – Casting can do the heavy lifting to correct a clubfoot, but a brace can help keep the foot at the proper angle and prevent relapses. Some children will have a minor or mild bracing regimen for a couple years after they leave the hospital. After a while, the braces may only be used during naps or bedtime so as not to disturb the child when awake.