Clubfeet

What is clubfoot?

Clubfoot is a foot abnormality often present at birth. In babies, it appears as a foot twisted out of its usual position or normal shape. It results when tissues that connect bone to muscles are shorter than they’re supposed to be. Clubfoot is a common birth defect that’s treatable at OrthoHouston. It can affect just one foot or both of a child’s feet.

What are the symptoms of clubfoot?

The symptoms of clubfoot include:

• Foot that looks upside-down
• Foot that’s twisted inward or downward
• Severely turned foot
• One foot or leg that’s shorter than the other
• Underdeveloped calf muscles

While clubfoot looks abnormal, it usually doesn’t cause pain. But it can restrict your child’s ability to get around, which is why treating the condition is beneficial.

Clubfoot-related complications include arthritis, poor self-image, and an awkward gait.

What are the risk factors for clubfoot?

While the cause of clubfoot isn’t known, genetics and environment seem to play roles in its development. Boys are twice as likely as girls to develop clubfoot. Other risk factors include a family history of clubfoot, skeletal abnormalities, too little amniotic fluid during pregnancy, and the mother smoking during pregnancy.

To reduce the risk of a baby developing clubfoot, avoid smoking, drinking alcohol, and using drugs during pregnancy. But despite taking these precautions, a baby can still have clubfoot at birth.

How is clubfoot diagnosed?

To diagnose clubfoot and treat it properly, the Doctors review your child’s medical history and examine their legs, ankles, feet, and toes. She might order X-rays to get a more in-depth view of the position and shape of an affected foot.

How is clubfoot treated?

The specialists offer several effective treatments for clubfoot. They could recommend stretching, casting, surgery, or combinations of these treatments. They can move your baby’s foot into an ideal alignment and place it in a cast or do a minor surgical procedure to correct the deformities.

You might need to do daily stretches with your baby, have them wear special braces or shoes, and follow all the surgeon’s instructions as directed.

If your baby needs surgery, they’ll likely wear a cast afterward and then a brace for a time to prevent further problems.

Early treatment with us is the best chance of correcting clubfoot and helping your child live a full, healthy, active life.

Call the OrthoHouston office today or use the online booking tool if your baby has signs of clubfoot.