Clubfoot is a congenital condition, meaning it exists at birth. When someone has this painless foot deformity, the sole of her foot faces the other leg instead of facing down, and the ankle turns at an angle. The condition may affect one or both feet. This birth defect is common and typically does not reflect any additional medical concerns for the child. Early treatment for clubfoot helps ensure the child will walk without difficulty.
Symptoms
The clubfoot condition may be mild or severe and may involve one or both feet. The inward turn of the foot indicates the clubfoot condition. The arch is increased and the heel turns inward. The calf muscles in the affected leg are typically not well developed. If the child has one clubfoot, that leg is shorter than the unaffected leg.
Causes
There is not a known cause of clubfoot. The condition is one of the more common birth defects. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, one in 1,000 babies is born with a clubfoot each year. Baby boys have a greater likelihood of having a clubfoot than baby girls. Families with a history of clubfoot have a greater chance of passing on the birth defect.
Casting
A newborn baby has flexible bones and muscles, so treating the clubfoot early is important. The treatment helps prevent disabilities when walking. One treatment option for a clubfoot is casting. During the treatment, the physician places the leg and foot into proper alignment and places a hard cast on the leg. Every few weeks, doctors remove the cast and reposition the leg. After his foot is realigned, the child wears a splint nightly for a couple of years to maintain the position.
Surgery
If the clubfoot is severe, the physician may recommend surgery. Some cases of clubfoot are accompanied by abnormally short tendons in the foot. The short tendons do not allow easy manipulation and realignment of the foot. To correct this, an orthopedic surgeon performs surgery to lengthen tendons. The child wears a brace for a year or more after the surgery to maintain the proper alignment.
Complications
Complete correction may not occur in some cases of clubfoot, but treatment is the best option to prevent further complications. If left uncorrected, the child will have trouble with standing and walking. Besides impeding proper function of the foot, the clubfoot affects the child's self-esteem. An untreated clubfoot has a greater risk of developing arthritis and creating painful skin conditions on the foot.
