What Should You Do if Your Baby has Clubfoot?

 

If you are the parent of a newborn, one of your biggest concerns is making sure that they grow up healthy. While all babies come with their own set of risks, some conditions can be prevented by taking care during pregnancy or after birth. One condition that can be managed early on is clubfoot. Read on to learn more about this condition and what you should do if your baby has it. 


What is a Clubfoot?

Clubfoot is a birth defect that occurs when the top of your baby's foot (the arch) or lower leg (the tibia) does not form correctly in the womb. This can cause one or both feet to turn inward, which makes it difficult for your baby to walk normally. When this happens, surgery may be necessary to correct the problem before they are 18 months old. 

Data from March of Dimes, about 1 in 1,000 babies is born with clubfoot in the United States each year. About half of all babies with clubfoot have it in both feet. Approximately 40% of clubfoot cases are due to genetic errors, while 60% are caused by environmental factors such as maternal diabetes or high blood pressure during pregnancy.


Symptoms of Clubfoot

Most clubfoot symptoms typically occur at birth and clubfoot signs include:

  • The foot is turned inwards towards the other foot, making it impossible to stand with both feet facing squarely forward

  • Shortening of the calf muscle on the affected side

  • The foot may be slightly shorter

  • If the foot is turned so severely that it appears upside down

Causes of Clubfoot

The most widely accepted theory to explain this occurrence states that it's caused by genetic and environmental factors working together. What has been discovered so far suggests there may be an increased risk amongst families who already suffer from clubfeet; however it’s still uncertain why some people get affected while others do not because these studies haven’t uncovered any concrete answers yet.


How To Treat Your Baby With Clubfoot


There are three main types of treatment for clubfoot - casting and splinting therapy, surgical correction, and walking casts. Treatment is typically very successful and most babies will not require any further treatment after completing the recommended course of care. 


Casting and Splinting Therapy

The most common form of treatment for clubfoot is known as Ponseti casting. This method uses an initial cast to gently correct the deformity and then subsequent casts at two-week intervals until the baby is approximately six months old. Treatment after this point usually has less of an effect on the clubfoot deformity. 

Splinting therapy involves using braces or casts on both legs while standing upright with feet together for up to six hours at a time; this helps stretch out muscles in the calf area

Surgical Correction

If clubfoot is not corrected by the time the child is six months old, surgery may be necessary. The surgical procedure that is used to correct clubfoot is called a tendon transfer.  The surgical procedure that is used to correct clubfoot is called a tendon transfer. In this surgery, the tendons that attach the muscles on the outside of the ankle to the bone are cut and reattached to muscles on the outside of the lower leg. Because clubfoot is a deformity that is also present at birth, early surgery is recommended.

Walking Casts

A common treatment for clubfoot is the use of walking casts. These casts keep the foot in the corrected position and help to stretch and strengthen the muscles and ligaments. The number of weeks a baby needs to wear a cast will depend on the severity of the clubfoot.


Prevention of Future Occurrences of Clubfoot in Babies

With clubfoot being such an uncommon disorder there doesn't seem too many preventative measures available. However, If you're pregnant, there are things that can be done to reduce your baby's risk of birth defects.

  • Avoid drinking alcohol

  • Avoid smoking and smoke-filled environments.

  • Do not take any drug without talking to your doctor first.

If you think your baby has clubfoot, it is important to act quickly. Early diagnosis and treatment are key to preventing further complications. Schedule an appointment with one of our specialists today if you want the best care for your child! We know that this can be a scary condition and we are here to help. Our team specializes in pediatric orthopedics which means they have years of experience working on children just like yours.