Clubfoot is a birth defect that causes the feet to curl inward. It can be present in one or both feet and is often treated with non-surgical procedures. The cause is unknown, but certain factors can increase the chances of a baby being born with the defect. Treatment involves stretching and casting, and in rare cases, surgery may be required. With proper treatment, most children regain normal function of their feet and legs.
Clubfoot is a birth defect that affects the shape of the feet. Children suffering from the condition, also called clubfoot or VTE, will appear to have deformed feet that curl inward dramatically. Clubfoot is often treated with nonsurgical procedures, although it may take several years for the legs and feet to fully reform.
The condition can be present in one or both feet and has several distinct characteristics. The feet will be turned sternly inward, so that the soles of the feet are facing each other and the outside edge of the foot is pointing down. If the condition only affects one foot, the affected leg will usually be weaker, shorter, and less developed. People with untreated clubfoot often walk on the sides of their feet and may suffer from balance problems and motor disabilities.
The cause of VTE remains unknown, however certain factors can increase the chances that a baby will be born with the defect. If a sibling or parent has had the condition, a child is more likely to have it as well. Some genetic disorders, such as Edwards syndrome, are also potentially responsible for the occurrence of VTE. The condition typically appears after the 9th week of pregnancy and can, if not always, be detected via ultrasound scans.
Treatment for clubfoot is often non-surgical in nature and takes place over several weeks, months, or even years. In the 1940s, Dr. Ignacio Ponseti developed a stepwise remodeling method for VTE that is now one of the most commonly used treatments. The Ponseti method involves careful stretching of the feet followed by casts that hold them in place. The casts are changed every few weeks, each time further correcting the position of the feet. After the initial cast treatment, leg braces are worn at night for the next few years to prevent relapse.
In some rare cases, the bones and tendons are too stiff to be modeled with the Ponseti method or similar techniques. In this case, minor surgery may be required. The most common type of surgery to treat club food is a heel cut to release the tendons. Other cases may require surgery that moves the main tendon away from the first toe and towards the middle of the foot. After surgery, correction through stretching and casts will usually still be needed to permanently resolve the condition.
While it can be frightening for parents to see their newborn with clubfoot, the defect is easily treated. Most children who have undergone proper treatment for VTE regain correct foot position and total function of their feet and legs. Although the affected foot may remain a little smaller and slightly weaker despite the correction, a child treated for the condition will most likely be able to walk, run and play normally.
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