Clubfoot is a deformity where the infant’s foot is turned inward. This can make the bottom of the foot face sideways or even have it face upwards. Clubfoot is one of the more common congenital foot deformities. It affects approximately 1 in every 1000 infants with boys being twice as likely to have clubfoot as girls. Without clubfoot treatment, the foot will remain deformed and the child will most likely not be able to walk properly. With clubfoot treatment and potential clubfoot surgery, the majority of children are able to live with barely any trace of the original deformity.
There are two types of clubfoot: unilateral (only affecting one foot) and bilateral (affecting both feet). Clubfoot exists when the tendons that connect the leg muscles with the foot bones are short and tight. This causes the foot to twist inwards which makes it difficult to walk. Clubfoot can sometimes be diagnosed during ultrasounds.
Clubfoot can also be classified into two groups: isolated/idiopathic where the child has no other medical problems and nonisolated where the child has other medical problems. Clubfoot cannot improve without treatment. It is important to speak to a foot doctor about a course of treatment. Dr. Amber Shane offers words of encouragement for anyone suffering from a complicated foot or ankle issue including clubfoot, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-7gijDZnA0. She also talks about her experience in treating a man with this complicated issue
There are many ways of treating clubfoot, ranging from nonsurgical to clubfoot surgery that a trained foot doctor can perform. It is important to get treatment for clubfoot as otherwise it will remain deformed and the child will not be able to walk properly. Without treatment, it will be very painful for the child as he/she will not be able to walk and it will also limit the physical activity that he/she is able to participate in.
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