Club Foot... What is it?

Baby feet are usually perfect. However, children can be born with orthopedic foot deformities. One rare but potentially serious condition is Club Foot.

Club Foot is a deformity of the foot and ankle where the foot is turned inward toward the center of the body and is pointed downward at the the ankle. This condition is often recognized at birth by medical professionals. In places where medical personnel do not help with birthing, diagnosis can be delayed.

Early diagnosis and treatment is essential to prevent long term consequences that can affect walking ability.

The cause of club foot is not known. Theories of cause include abnormalities in muscle and tendon development, abnormal bone and joint development and abnormal intra uterine position of the fetus.

The deformity can be flexible or rigid, with rigid type needing more treatment time for correction.

The vast majority of club feet are treated non surgically using a technique called serial manipulation and casting. With this technique the foot is gently manipulated into a more corrected position by the practitioner for several minutes followed by the application of a plaster cast to the foot and leg to maintain the achieved correction. The cast is maintained for 1 -2 weeks and the procedure repeated in 1-2 week intervals until the completed correction is achieved. This can take up to 6 months or more depending on the degree and rigidity of the deformity.

Patients that have incomplete correction with serial manipulation and casting may require surgical procedures to align the foot properly.

Uncorrected club foot can make walking and running difficult for the child. The vast majority of children with corrected club foot can function normally, although some may require orthotic or brace use.

If club foot is suspected, get it checked out immediately. The earlier treatment starts the better the outcome.

Dr Paul "Clubber" Betschart

The Foot Book Doctor

Healthy Feet Happy Life

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