What is Clubfoot and How can it be Treated?

The average prevalence of clubbed foot is approximately 1 out of 1,000 live births and might cause permanent disability when left untreated, according to a report published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information. Clubbed foot can be both mild and severe, and treatment is recommended soon after birth. However, the disease alone does not cause any pain and can be easily detected in the 20^th week of pregnancy.

If you are about to give birth to a child with the condition or have recently delivered a baby with clubbed feet, here’s what you should know.

What is Clubbed Foot?

Clubbed foot is a birth defect also known as talipes equinovarus. In this condition, the foot is usually pointed downwards or inwards. The heel also often faces sideways and the foot is abnormally twisted inwards. Most of the times, both the feet are oddly shaped in children who are otherwise healthy.

This happens because the tissues connecting the muscles and bones are shorter than normal. This is why the foot curls at a peculiar angle. Underdeveloped calf muscles are also one of the major reasons for this defect.

Clubbed feet can be divided into two types, depending on the medical condition of the child. In isolated clubbed foot, the baby has no underlying disease, while in non-isolated clubbed foot, the baby might have defects like Spina Bifida.

A few common symptoms of clubbed foot are short leg structure, non-flexible feet, both feet are turned towards each other, kidney shaped feet, and thin calf muscles in both or one leg.

How to Treat Clubbed Foot?

Pediatric orthopedic surgeons recommend treatment within two weeks of birth. Pointing, stretching and casting the foot can completely cure the condition. The child will be able to walk or run without any physical discomfort after this.

Ponseti Method

This is usually the first line of treatment, in which stretching, followed by a cast, is used. The doctor will twist the feet back to the desired position and place a cast to hold it firmly. They will continue to reposition the feet and change the cast weekly. This will go on for a few months, till the foot reaches the normal shape. The doctor might also clip the Achilles tendon, which will help the tendon grow to a normal length. This process is done before the final cast is applied on the baby’s feet.

Surgery

In case the baby’s foot does not respond to the Ponseti treatment, surgery is the next option. The pediatric orthopedic surgeon will lengthen and realign the ligaments and tendons, along with the bones and joints. This will ensure that the foot is in a better position. After the surgery is done, the child will have to wear cast for a few months, followed by braces for at least a year. This will prevent the clubbed foot from relapsing. Most children are able to wear proper shoes and lead a normal life, post treatment. Only the rarest of rare cases might have non-correctable clubbed feet.