Welcome Clubfoot Families

We at SCFAS want you to know that you are not alone, and we are here to help in any way we can. We understand how emotional the treatment process can be. The birth of any baby can trigger a host of emotions, from pure happiness to fear and anxiety. If you have just had a prenatal clubfoot diagnosis or are a parent of a child born with clubfoot, please know that clubfoot is a treatable birth defect, and it is completely normal to feel overwhelmed and scared while thinking about the future. If you plan to or have adopted a child with clubfoot, congratulations! You will be embarking on one of the most amazing experiences in your life by providing your child with a completely different life, starting with the use of their feet! Also, know that there is great hope for older children with clubfoot. We also welcome other loved ones and family members! Your family will be experiencing a potentially very challenging but equally rewarding process, and it is important to stay positive and supportive throughout this time. We are always happy to see family members at our appointments to help out or take pictures of the progression. We believe that the single most important thing we can do is provide you all with knowledge and reassurance to help give you confidence.

Studies show that informed parents and families will have better outcomes. On the following page, you will find information about clubfoot that will hopefully inform and reassure you. We also provide you with different clubfoot journeys that take you through the casting and bracing process in our before and after section. We want to thank our incredible families for sharing their photographs and perspectives to spread awareness that clubfoot is treatable.” Warm Regards,

Clubfoot Doctor Nitza Rodriguez
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Questions About Your Child's Clubfoot?

What is Clubfoot?

Clubfoot is a congenital challenge where a baby’s foot or feet twist inward and downward, posing challenges in standing or walking properly. Identified at birth, clubfoot can affect one or both feet, with three primary types:

Idiopathic Clubfoot

  • Most common type, constituting the majority of cases.
  • The exact cause is unknown, but genetic and environmental factors may play a role.

Neurogenic Clubfoot

  • Caused by neurological conditions affecting muscle development and coordination.
  • Conditions like spina bifida or cerebral palsy may contribute to neurogenic clubfoot.

Syndromic Clubfoot

  • Associated with other congenital syndromes, where clubfoot is one of multiple anomalies.
  • Linked to genetic disorders or chromosomal abnormalities.
Baby massage. Mom doing gymnastics with kid. Mommy massaging cute baby boy. Moving baby's legs to help relieve constipation. Young mother doing exercises and movements to stimulate baby's bowels.

What Causes Clubfoot?

Though the precise cause remains unclear, factors such as genetic predisposition, environmental influences, and sometimes neurological conditions may contribute to clubfoot development. Research suggests a combination of genetic and environmental factors may increase the risk.

Treatment Options

Fortunately, various treatment options address clubfoot, offering a path to normal foot development. The Ponseti clubfoot casting technique, developed by Dr. Ignacio Ponseti, is widely adopted. This non-invasive approach involves gentle manipulation of the foot, followed by the application of plaster casts over several weeks, gradually correcting the foot’s position.

What is Life Like After Clubfoot Treatment?

Successful treatment enables individuals with clubfoot to lead normal, active lives. Early intervention is crucial, and after Ponseti casting or other suitable treatments, physical therapy may be recommended to enhance strength and coordination. While some may experience residual stiffness or muscle weakness, ongoing medical care and support help overcome any challenges.

Contact Us Today

If you or your child is dealing with clubfoot, our experienced team is ready to help. Early diagnosis and intervention significantly improve outcomes. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and embark on the journey towards a brighter and more mobile future.

Courtney Winger

Contact Our Clubfoot Expert

Courtney Winger

If you have any questions or need to send us any information about your child or anything related to clubfoot contact our expert using one of the way listed below.

Phone: (949) 364-9255 ext: 1008
Direct Line: (949) 269-7558
E-Fax: (949) 238-7860

FAQs

What is clubfoot

Congenital means it is present at birth. Talipes pertains to the foot and ankle, and Equino refers to the sagittal deformity or the tightness of the heel cord (Achilles tendon), causing the foot to point downward. The Varus refers to the frontal plane deformity in which the heel turns inward. Research shows that the condition develops in the womb around the third month of pregnancy and may be diagnosed on prenatal ultrasound. The condition can be unilateral (affecting only one foot) or bilateral (affecting both feet). The affected foot and calf are generally smaller in size than their unaffected counterparts. Clubfoot is one of the most common birth defects, affecting about 1 in 1000 newborns. Clubfoot can be flexible or rigid in nature and can cause significant pain and disability if left untreated. However, in newborns and non-ambulating babies, clubfoot is not painful.

When is clubfoot diagnosed?

Most cases of clubfoot are diagnosed at birth. Some cases are diagnosed through a routine prenatal ultrasound.

What causes clubfoot?

The cause is still unclear; therefore, the condition is sometimes referred to as idiopathic (unknown). We do know that there may be a genetic component and there is a higher incidence with a family history of clubfoot. Clubfoot can be associated with other abnormalities or exist by itself.

What is the treatment for clubfoot?

The gold standard for treating clubfoot is the Ponseti casting technique, developed by Dr. Ponseti in 1948. This is a method of serial gentle manipulations with application of plaster casts (5-7) above the knee to retain the correction. Weekly manipulations should ideally begin shortly after birth to facilitate the maximum advantage of soft tissue stretching and correct bone alignment. Before the last cast is applied, a minor procedure, Tendo Achilles Lengthening (TAL), is usually performed to lengthen the heel cord (Achilles tendon). The last cast will be worn for 3 weeks, thus allowing the tendon to heal completely. It is of utmost importance that parents be informed and understand that treatment does not end after the last cast. It is absolutely essential that a Foot Abduction Brace (FAB) be worn full-time for the first 3 months, slowly transitioned to only naps and nighttime until the child is 4-5 years old. This is necessary because, following correction, there is a high tendency of relapse, and the FAB is the only successful method for preventing a relapse when used consistently as described. X-rays are usually not necessary except in complicated cases.

A very small percentage of cases of clubfoot may be considered complex in which the foot is short, plump, stiff, and unyielding to stretching. These feet have a deep transverse skin fold above the heel and across the sole of the foot. These cases require special treatment and may need surgical correction. In general, for all cases of clubfoot, long-term studies show that bone and joint surgery should be avoided, since it leads to stiffness, scarring, and muscle weakness which become more apparent and disabling after adolescence.
Can the Ponseti technique be used in older children?

Recent research shows that the Ponseti method can successfully be applied in children as old as ten. This is the case with neglected clubfoot, recurrent clubfoot, and even recurrent clubfoot in children with failed surgeries. The treatment for clubfoot should start as soon as possible, ideally within the first couple of weeks after birth.

How can you help eradicate clubfoot worldwide?

We at Southern California Foot and Ankle Specialists feel gratitude that the majority of infants born in the US have access to good care and therefore their clubfoot condition is corrected without causing severe limitations. However, clubfoot continues to be a serious problem in many developing nations. Neglected clubfoot is very debilitating, causing pain and severe disability, often ostracizing people and limiting their full potential as productive human beings. The Ponseti Method is a very practical option, as it is very cost effective and can be taught to local health providers to eliminate clubfoot disability.

Find out more on how we can come together and help eradicate clubfoot disability worldwide. Ponseti Logo miraclefeet logo
How to donate to clubfoot research?
Submit an online gift at: https:\\gifts.wustl.edu

Instructions for online gifts:

1.      Enter amount of gift

2.      Enter in “Other Designation” box: Dr. Dobb’s Research Fund

3.      Click “Save Area and Amount” box

4.      Proceed to next section

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