All parents want their infants to be perfect with no health problems. However, infant foot problems are common and, although they may cause parents a lot of concern, they typically cause no pain for the infant and are easily corrected with no lasting health concerns. If you think your child has a foot problem, you should contact your doctor to determine the cause of the issues and treatment needed.
Types
Clubfoot is a common infant foot problem usually present at birth, in which the foot is twisted or out of shape or position. In a case of a clubfoot, the foot is positioned at a sharp angle to the ankle. This condition is a common birth defect and may affect one or both feet. Toe walking is also fairly common in infants who are just beginning to walk. It is described as your infant walking on the toes or the ball of the foot. Most children outgrow this by the time they are two years of age.
Cause
According to MayoClinic.com, the cause of clubfoot is unknown. Scientists do not believe that a clubfoot is a result of the position of the fetus in the uterus. Toe walking may be the result of a habit or may be caused by a short Achilles tendon. Other causes of toe-walking include cerebral palsy, autism or other muscular, developmental or neurological disorders.
Symptoms
Symptoms of clubfoot include your baby's foot being turned downward and inward, with an increase in the arch, and the heel turned inward. The foot may look like it is turned upside-down. Your infant's calf muscle may be underdeveloped and the foot may be up to 1 centimeter shorter than the other foot. Clubfoot does not cause any pain or discomfort.
The only symptom of toe walking is visible when your child is walking on his toes or the balls of his feet. If your child also has a lack of muscle coordination and stiff muscles in addition to toe walking, you should contact your doctor because these symptoms could be a sign of something more serious.
Risk Factors
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons states that one out of every 1,000 newborns has clubfoot, and almost half of these cases affect both feet. Male infants are more likely to have clubfoot, as are children with family histories of clubfoot.
Complications
Your infant will most likely have no complications from clubfoot until she starts to stand and walk. If left untreated, your child will not be able to walk on the soles of her feet and may have to walk on the balls of the feet or the outside of the foot. Complications of toe walking include an increased risk of your child falling and getting hurt.
Treatment
The treatment for clubfoot usually begins soon after birth because the bones and joints of newborns are flexible. The goal of the treatment is to restore the function and look of the foot before the child begins to walk. Treatment includes stretching and casting to reposition the foot; in severe cases, surgery is required when the baby is nine to twelve months of age. In most cases, treatment is successful. Treatment for toe walking that is not out of habit includes physical therapy, leg braces, a series of below-the-knee casts and, in severe cases, surgery.
