Clubfoot
En Español (Spanish Version)Clubfoot is a deformity of the foot that causes the foot to turn inward. The Achilles tendon becomes taut, which pulls the heel upward toward the leg and prevents the foot from being able to sit flat on the ground. A club foot is usually smaller than a normal-sized foot.
Clubfoot occurs in about 1 in 1,000 children. Clubfoot does not indicate or cause other health conditions and is not thought to be caused by position in the womb.
Clubfoot is caused by a congenital deformity in the development of the muscles, tendons, and bones of the foot. However, why this occurs is unknown. There is some belief that clubfoot can be inherited in some cases.
Achilles Tendon and Related Muscles
© 2011 Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.
A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease or condition.
Because the cause of clubfoot is not understood, not many of the risk factors for this condition are known. However, some of the following factors increase your chance of developing clubfoot:
- Being male
- Having a family history of clubfoot
Symptoms include:
-
At birth, one or both feet that:
- Turn inward and downward, and will not straighten
- Are slightly smaller than normal
- Calf muscle slightly smaller than normal
Clubfoot is easily diagnosed during a physical examination, but an
x-ray
of the foot will also be taken. The condition can often even be diagnosed before birth during an
ultrasound
examination.
Prenatal Ultrasound
© 2011 Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.
Clubfoot can be corrected, but it is best to start treatment as early as possible—even right after birth. Treatment options include:
With casting, the foot is manually manipulated by the doctor into a better position and placed in a series of casts. A new cast is put on every week for 5-10 weeks to stretch the soft tissues of the foot and reshape it.
After the initial casting procedure is completed, a brace is used and worn at night and during naps.
More extensive surgery may be done to correct the deformed tendons and muscles in very severe cases that do not respond to casting. When necessary, surgery is most commonly done within the first year of life.
There is no known way to prevent clubfoot, as the cause of the congenital deformity is unknown.
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
American Orthopedic Foot Ankle Society
Canadian Orthopaedic Foundation
Eastwood DM, Sanghrajka AP. Guided growth: recent advances in a deep-rooted concept.
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2011;93(1):12-18.
van Bosse HJ. Ponseti treatment for clubfeet: an international perspective.
Curr Opin Pediatr.
2011;23(1):41-45.
Zionts LE, Dietz FR. Bracing following correction of idiopathic clubfoot using the Ponseti method.
J Am Acad Orthop Surg.
2010;18(8):486-493.
Last Reviewed September 2011