Babies with Clubfoot

Any disease or issue, when said in relation to babies seems very serious and disconcerting. The congenital condition called clubfoot is no exception. Soon after birth, a child with clubfoot can be easily diagnosed since the deformity is usually very obvious. The foot or feet affected will be abnormally turned or twisted due to: positioning in the uterus, a birth defect of short tendons, or a hereditary trait.

However, there’s good news! This is a condition that is caught early, so it can be treated within the first few months of life for more normal development as the child grows.

How is clubfoot treated?

The most common method for treating clubfoot is the Ponseti method. With this method, the foot is slowly coaxed into the right position, which is attainable because of the flexibility that babies still have. Each weekly session includes moving, stretching, and then casting the baby’s foot into a position that is closer to the correct alignment. Over the course of a few months of treatment, the bones and soft tissue are brought into proper alignment so that further development occurs correctly.

Finally, as the child gets older, some severe cases may require minor surgeries to shorten or lengthen soft tissues, such as the Achilles tendon. Major surgeries are not recommended for children since it can lead to scarring and developmental issues as their bones and tissues are still developing.

An alternative method of treatment is called the French Functional method, which is similar to the Ponseti method, but adds a focus on physical therapy to increase flexibility.

If left untreated, clubfoot can become a problem as children learn to crawl and walk. As the bones and soft tissues become stronger and stiffer, it leaves surgery as the only corrective measure, which can be risky and invasive.

If your child was born with clubfoot, it’s important to have regular checkups with our podiatrists to maintain proper foot and ankle development. If your children need custom orthotics, we can help with that too! Make an appointment today at Alamitos-Seal Beach Podiatry Group for a thorough assessment and maintenance. One of our board-certified podiatrists, Dr. Douglas H. Richie, Dr. Jeremy L. Cook, Dr. Faye E. Izadi will be happy to help your child to maintain healthy and functional feet and ankles at either of our Seal Beach, CA and Los Alamitos, CA offices in Orange County.