Clubfoot is a congenital foot condition, which affects approximately 1 out of every 1000 births in the United Kingdom. However, prevalence of this condition is twice as common in males than females. The deformity can be mild or severe and it can affect one foot or both feet. As many as 50% of cases are bilateral (both feet are affected).
Club Foot is sometimes confused with other congenital foot defects, such as Calcaneovalgus and Metatarsus adductus. These deformities are caused by the position of the foot in the womb and are usually corrected with minimal intervention. True clubfoot affects all the joints, tendons and ligaments in the foot and is often referred to as Congenital Talipes EquinoVarus. Another form of clubfoot is Congenital Vertical Talus, this is not as common as true clubfoot, the foot appears more rigid then a true club foot deformity. In most cases, clubfoot is idiopathic, which means that the cause is unknown and there is no genetic tendency. However it is associated with Spina Bifida and Hip Dysplasia.
APPEARANCE
The above photograph is of a Clubfoot deformity in a child of six months.
WHAT YOU SHOULD NOT DO
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO
There are many treatments available for clubfoot and many different opinions exist concerning treatment regimes.
The aim of the treatment regime should be: -
Below is the summary of some of the main conditions.
Casting
This above photo of an infant in a Denis Browne bracing bar after undergoing months of casting using the Ponseti method as treatment for his bilateral clubfeet.
He will have to wear the bracing bar for 23 hours a day for about 3 months and then only at night for two to four years.
Surgery
There are many surgical procedures available for clubfoot. Surgery is usually recommended to a child of six months old. Below are the list of commonly used surgical procedures. For further information concerning these surgical procedures, please consult an Orthopedist.
Physiotherapy
WHAT THE CHIROPODIST WILL DO
CONDITIONS THAT RESEMBLE A CLUB FOOT
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Tyrone Smith, Atlanta USA