Club Foot Treatment For Your Baby

Club foot, or talipes equinovarus, is a common birth defect that causes the feet to turn inward and downward. It can cause pain and make it difficult for your child to walk or run, and can limit their ability to participate in sports.

A number of treatments for clubfoot can be used. Most of the time, treatment is nonsurgical and involves stretching and casting to correct the foot. The goal of treatment is for the foot to look and feel normal, and for your child to be able to walk without difficulty or pain.

Ponseti Method

The Ponseti method is the most commonly used nonsurgical technique for treating clubfoot. It consists of a series of plaster casts that stretch and mold the foot until it is corrected to the normal position. This procedure can take a few weeks. The Ankle & Foot Centers of America has experts that will help you get the best club foot treatment for your baby.

Depending on the severity of your child’s clubfoot, your provider may suggest that the first series of casts be changed weekly. Your provider will give you detailed instructions on how to care for your child’s casts and when to return to the clinic to have them changed.

Ponsetti Method

In the Ponsetti method, your provider will apply a cast that extends from your baby’s toes to their upper thigh. The cast is changed every 5-7 days until your child’s foot is in a corrected position. This can take a few weeks to complete, but it is usually successful in most babies.

Once the corrected foot position is achieved, your doctor may recommend a "Percutaneous Achilles Tenotomy" (Achilles tenotomy is the medical term for the surgery that lengthens the tendons to improve ankle dorsiflexion). This is done under local anesthesia and can take up to 3 weeks before your baby is back to normal.

French Method

Another nonsurgical approach to clubfoot correction is the French method, which involves stretching and taping your baby’s foot. This technique can be administered by a physical therapist with specialized training and experience.

Your provider will need to do a number of special exercises to strengthen the muscles and tendons in your child’s foot. This can be difficult for your child, but it is worth the effort to have your baby’s foot in the correct position as early as possible.

If your baby’s foot still slips out of the splint or brace at home, this may be a sign that your child needs to be seen by a pediatrician for relapse treatment. This can be a difficult situation, and your pediatrician will need to refer you to a doctor who specializes in this type of treatment.

During your child’s treatment, your Clubfoot doctor may also recommend some minor surgical procedures that will help release the muscles in your baby’s foot and ankle. This can be done under local anesthesia and will not hurt your baby.

Regardless of the method, most children with clubfoot are able to grow normally and can be active in sports or other activities as long as they follow the treatment plan. Some children with clubfoot need to undergo surgery, but this is rarely necessary and can be performed by a trained orthopedic surgeon. Explore more on this subject by clicking here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Podiatrist.