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Club Foot

Club foot is the condition of foot deformity of the newborn child in which either or both the feet will be twisted or bent towards the toes inward. The word “club-foot” refers to the shape of head of golf club and that is how the shape of newborn child looks like. Clubfoot is invariably genetic defect inherited by birth. The foot is twisted from normal position to a sharp angle with respect to the ankle. This disorder is an isolated problem for the child and hence the child will be otherwise healthy in all aspects.

Club foot can develop in one leg or both the feet for the child. The problem occurs when the child reaches the developmental stage of walking. Hence it is very much essential for the parents to correct the club-foot when the baby begins to walk. Depending on the condition of inclination the club foot will be corrected by surgical method or by stretching therapy.

Symptoms :

The affected foot will look twisted or bent inward making an angle with the ankle. The foot would be turned downward making an arch thus making it difficult for the child to walk. In some children, the foot will be very much twisted that it looks as though the foot is turned upside down. Due to this developmental abnormality, the calf muscles of the child will be poorly developed. There will be a strange abnormality between both the feet and the affected foot will look much shorter than the healthy foot.

Some of the marked features of club foot are:-

• Toes will be pointing downward
• The affected foot will rest on the outer border in contrast with normal foot
• The foot will be bent inward and hence the front portion of the foot will look awkward
• It gives abnormal shape to the foot
• The heel cord or Achilles tendon will become stiffened
• The foot becomes tight and rigid hence difficult to move or walk

Causes :

Club foot is caused by genetic abnormality but the exact reason what causes this congenital defect is not known. During the development of the fetus there will be abnormal structuring and position of the foot thus making it twisted. On account of this, the bones will also develop abnormally in shape and position.

Any deformity in the spinal cord can cause club foot during the development of the fetus. However there is no correlation between the position of foot of the child in the uterus and development of club foot. Spina Bifida is a rare neuromuscular condition which may cause deformity in the foot shape.

Who are at risk?

The child born to the parents who have history of club foot in their families have increased chance for getting club foot. This disorder is more prevalent in boys than girls. If the mother smokes when she is pregnant, it increases the risk for the baby developing a club foot by 20%.

Pictures of Club Foot :

Images, Pics, Pictures and Photos of Club Foot

Treatment :

One should not delay in giving treatment to the child born with club foot and it is good to start the therapy before the baby learns to walk. The shape and position of the foot can easily be corrected since the joints and bones are highly flexible for the child.

Ponseti method : In this therapy, the affected foot is manipulated and placed into the cast setting for acquiring the right position. It is also called stretching and casting of foot and this process should be repeated for several weeks until the shape of the foot becomes normal. Further the child will be put on stretching exercises and he should wear special shoes for minimum 3 years.

In stretching and taping therapy, the newborn child’s foot is manipulated each day continuously for 2 months or until the foot becomes normal in shape. Then the treatment is to be repeated for 2-3 times a week until the baby becomes 6 months old. Further he should be put on night splints daily till he begins to walk.

In severe cases, corrective surgeries are done to extend the tendon muscles for aligning the feet in the right position. Early treatment is required for the baby for correcting the club-foot to lead normal lives later.

Club Foot – Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, Pictures, Surgery Information

What is a Club foot?

This term is used in describing a variety of abnormalities of the foot which normally are visible at birth and where the baby’s foot is twisted in a strange position or shape. This term – clubfoot – is a reference to the fact that the foot is situated with a sharp direction to the ankle – reminiscent of the head of a golfing club. This is a fairly common defect at birth and is normally a secluded condition of a newborn who is otherwise healthy.

The deformity can be severe, or very mild, affecting both or only one foot. Clubfoot hinders the development of the child especially when it is time for the child to start walking. For this reason clubfoot needs to begin treatment quickly after birth. Treatment is normally successful and the function as well as the appearance of the foot will show improvement.

Club Foot Symptoms

In the majority of cases, the deformity twists the very top of the baby’s foot inward and downward, which turns the heel inmost as well as increases the arch. This foot can be twisted so seriously that in some cases it appears as if it is upside-down. The muscles in the calf of the leg which is affected are typically very weak and the affected foot can be up to 1 cm or one fourth inch shorter than the other foot. In spite of its look, clubfoot does not cause any pain or discomfort.

Your physician will be able to see the clubfoot if not immediately then soon following the child’s birth. The physician will then counsel the parents on the applicable treatment.

Club Foot Causes

Causes for clubfoot are not understood. But medical professionals do understand that clubfoot is not affected by the fetus’ position in the uterus. In certain situation, clubfoot may be linked to other inherited abnormalities of the skeleton system, for example Spina Bifida, which is a severe birth flaw that happens when the tissues which surround the evolving spinal cord of the fetus does not closed properly.

It is believed that in some cases factors in the environment play a part in creating clubfoot. Research has strongly suggested that clubfoot is linked to the smoking of cigarettes while pregnant, particularly when there is a history in the family of clubfoot.

Several risk factors include:

History in Family
If you or anyone in your immediate family have had this problem, the baby is much more likely to have it as well.

Smoking during pregnancy
If a woman with a family history of clubfoot smokes during pregnancy, there is a chance for the baby to also have a clubfoot.
Sex
Clubfoot is most common in males.

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Club Foot Treatment

This problem of clubfoot normally causes no difficulties until the child begins to stand as well as walk. The child’s mobility can be limited slightly and the foot which is affected can be up to 1 to 1 ½ shoe sizes smaller than the foot which is not affected. After treating clubfoot, the child will usually end up with a normal foot, in function as well as looks.

When left not treated, the clubfoot can cause a liability. The child is not only more apt to have arthritis, but the appearance which is unusual cannot allow the child to walk normally on the soles of the feet. To recompense, the child will probably walk on the outside of the feet, on the ball of the feet, or even in very severe cases, the top of the feet. These alterations can inhibit the normal growth of the muscles in the calf, cause Calluses or sores which are large on the feet, as well as result in a gait that is awkward.

In the majority of cases, the clubfoot is noticed immediately after birth by looking at the positioning as well as the shape of the feet of the newborn. At this time, the physician might demand x-rays to get a better understanding of how severe is the deformity.

It is also possible to see clearly certain cases of clubfoot prior to birth with a baby’s regular ultrasound exam. If both feet are involved, it is also more than likely to appear in an ultrasound. Of course, nothing is able to be done prior to birth to solve the problem, but by knowing of the defect it can give time to learn more about clubfoot as well as to contact the proper health experts for example orthopedic surgeon or genetic counselor.

Since the newborn’s bones as well as joints are very flexible, the management for clubfoot usually starts soon after birth. Of course, the objective of treatment is to return the functioning of the foot as well as the look and needs to be accomplished prior to the child beginning to walk. This needs to be accomplished in the hopefulness of averting long-term incapacities. Management options include:

Stretching and Casting (the Ponseti method)
This management involves the manipulating of the clubfoot into a corrected position as well as then putting it in a cast to preserve that position. Repositioning as well as recasting happens each week for a number of weeks. Later, after the form of the foot is realigned, it is maintained thru exercises involving stretching, splinting with braces or special shoes at night for up to 3 years. For the Ponseti method to be successful there is the requirement of applying the child’s braces according to the physician’s recommendation in order that the foot does not return to its original position.

Stretching and Taping (French method)
This is a method involving day-to-day management of the foot which is then taped with adhesive tape so as to maintain the correct position until the next day. In 2 months, the management of treatments is reduced to 3 times each week until the baby is approximately 6 months old. As soon as the shape of the foot is corrected, the parents continue to daily perform exercises and use splints during the night until the baby is the age to begin walking. This method necessitates total commitment to numerous appointments for 6 months. Many medical professionals combine the Ponseti methods and the French method.

Club Foot Surgery

There are cases, where the clubfoot is so severe or does not respond to the nonsurgical treatments that the baby will need surgery. This surgery done by a surgeon specializing in orthopedics can elongate the tendons to aid with easing the foot into a more appropriate position. After the surgery, the child will need to wear a brace for approximately a year to prevent recurrence of the deformities.

It needs to be noted that even with treatment, clubfoot might not be correctable totally. But in the majority of cases, babies who are treated early may mature to wear normal shoes as well as to lead normal, active lives.