Club Foot
Parents know immediately if their newborn has clubfoot; some may find out during an ultrasound. A clubfoot occurs in approximately one in every 1,000 births, with boys slightly outnumbering girls. One or both feet may be affected where they are rotated inward and downward.
What we treat
Treatment should begin right away to have the best chance for a successful outcome without the need for surgery. Over the past 10 to 15 years, more and more success has been achieved in correcting clubfeet without needing surgery.
Cause
Doctors still aren’t sure why it happens, though it can occur in some families with previous club feet. Your baby’s chance of having club foot is twice as likely if you, your spouse or your other children have had it. Less severe infant foot problems are common and are often incorrectly called club foot.
Symptoms
One foot is turned to the side, and it may even appear that the top of the foot is where the bottom should be. The involved foot, calf, and leg are smaller and shorter than the average side.
It is not a painful condition, but if it is not treated, clubfoot will lead to significant discomfort and disability in the teenage years.
Questions
What are the nonsurgical options?
Treatment should begin right away to have the best chance for a successful outcome without the need for surgery. A particular method of stretching and casting, known as the Ponseti method, has been responsible for this. With this method, the doctor changes the cast every week for several weeks, always stretching the foot toward the correct position.
Once the foot has been corrected, the infant must wear a brace at night for two years to maintain the correction. There are several versions of these orthoses (braces) that we can measure and apply. They are highly effective but require the parents to participate in the daily care by using the braces actively. Without the parents’ participation, clubfoot will almost certainly recur, and that’s because the muscles around the foot can pull it back into the abnormal position.
The goal of this, and any treatment programme, is to make your newborn’s clubfoot (or feet) functional, painless and stable by the time he or she is ready to walk.
(Note: Any time your baby wears a cast, watch for changes in skin colour or temperature that may indicate problems with circulation.)
When is surgery necessary?
Surgery may be needed if stretching, casting and bracing are not enough to correct your baby’s clubfoot, to adjust the tendons, ligaments and joints in the foot/ankle. Usually done at nine to twelve months of age, surgery simultaneously corrects all of your baby’s clubfoot deformities. After surgery, a cast holds the clubfoot still while it heals. The muscles in your child’s foot can return to the clubfoot position, and special shoes or braces may be used for up to a year or more after surgery. Surgery will likely result in a stiffer foot than non-surgical treatment, particularly as the years pass.
Without any treatment, your child’s clubfoot will result in severe functional disability. With treatment, your child should have a nearly normal foot, and they can run and play without pain and wear regular shoes. The corrected clubfoot will still not be perfect, however. You should expect it to stay 1 to 1 1/2 sizes smaller and somewhat less mobile than the standard foot. The calf muscles in your child’s clubfoot leg will also remain smaller.
HOW MOVE ME HELPS
How we support Club Foot
Our clinicians fit orthoses and supports matched to your symptoms, activity level and goals.
Book an orthotic consultation- Clinical assessment Gait and function reviewed in clinic
- Orthotic fitting Ready-to-wear or custom devices
- Follow-up care Adjustments as your needs change
- Footwear advice Shoes that work with your supports
- Product options Order replacements when you need them
- Referral support We work with your care team
Treatment areas
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We support children's orthoses needs with our range of Paediatrics orthoses that can be custom-made or ready-to-wear solutions.
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Ankle orthoses, particularly in Custom Made AFO's (Ankle foot orthosis) is our area of expertise. These can be either ready to wear or custom made depending on your bracing needs.
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Footwear is suitable for a range of needs to support you, with various options from ready-to-wear to custom-made, all perfectly suited to your particular needs.
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Binders and Supports will provide you with support when needed for various conditions. These will be tailored to your individual needs and come either ready-to-wear or custom-made.