How to Treat Clubfoot

Approximately one child in every 1,000 born in the United States will be affected by a birth defect known as clubfoot. The clubfoot is usually the smaller of the two and is rigidly fixed at an abnormal angle, making it impossible to be placed perfectly flat on any level surface. Read on to learn more about how to treat clubfoot.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Surgery
• Fiberglass cast
• Osteotomy
• Regular check-ups
• Ultrasound

1. Get an ultrasound. Today's modern ultrasound technology can often diagnose clubfoot as early as four months, or about 16 weeks into the development of the fetus. Early diagnosis is key to developing an effective treatment program.
2. Talk to your doctor about treating clubfoot with Ponseti's method. This is one of the classic clubfoot treatments and is often effective. Ponseti's method involves using a series of plaster casts and non-surgical Achilles tendon extensions to move the foot into a normal position gradually. Once the final cast is removed, a bar is attached to the baby's shoes for two months, which will keep the feet spaced and pointed properly to prevent recurrence.
3. Talk to your doctor about other non-surgical ways to treat clubfoot. One such way that is proving effective is the use of fiberglass casts that can be removed, instead of the older, more cumbersome plaster casts of Ponseti's method.
4. Explore surgical treatment options if non-surgical casting treatment fails to correct the problem.
5. Talk to your doctor about "soft tissue" surgical options. Soft tissue surgery to treat clubfoot involves lengthening tendons by releasing the tightness of ligaments found around the joints in the foot and ankle.
6. Ask your doctor if an osteotomy or similar "bony" procedure can help treat your child's clubfoot. This type of surgical procedure involves separating and stabilizing the bones so that they will grow back together in a more normal configuration.
7. Consider a tendon transfer surgery to improve the length and position of the ligaments and tendons.
8. Prepare yourself for months, and even years, of follow-up visits and continued treatment. This is required for both surgical and non-surgical methods to be effective. Non-surgical treatments will require months of periodic visits to the doctor for new casts, and surgical options will involve check-ups and follow-up surgeries.
9. Continue to have regular check-ups by your doctor until after your child stops growing to avoid recurrence.

Tips & Warnings

• Clubfoot is thought to be caused by several different genetic factors working in tandem, but the exact cause has yet to be pinpointed.
• Whatever treatment option you choose, remember that it is critical that you begin treatment as soon as your child is born.