CLUBFOOT

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Early Detection

“Doctors can discover a baby’s Clubfoot while it develops in the womb due to the advancements in ultrasound technology. Women usually get an ultrasound procedure during their pregnancies, and in the 20th-week testing, doctors can usually see if a clubfoot deformity exists on the images. Therefore, with the aid of new and better imaging, doctors routinely diagnose clubfoot before birth. However, treatment of clubfoot cannot occur before the birth of the baby.”

Discovering that your unborn child may have a clubfoot can be daunting, as the news often comes unexpectedly. It’s natural for parents to have many questions, such as how this condition will affect their child’s future and what steps they need to take next.

Key Considerations for Expecting Parents:

• Emotional Support: It’s important to seek emotional support from family, friends, or professional counselors who can help you process the diagnosis and prepare mentally for the journey ahead.
• Understanding the Diagnosis: Clubfoot is a common congenital condition, and many parents have navigated it successfully. Knowing that you are not alone can provide comfort and confidence.
• Planning for Treatment: While treatment cannot begin until after birth, knowing that effective solutions are available can be reassuring. Early intervention often leads to excellent outcomes.
• Stay Informed: Keeping yourself informed about clubfoot and its management can empower you to make the best decisions for your child. Discuss with your healthcare provider about what to expect post-birth and the treatment options available.

By combining medical insights with emotional preparation, parents can approach the birth of their child with readiness and optimism.

Clubfoot can occur on one foot or both feet. In almost half of affected infants, Clubfoot exists on both feet. Even though a baby does not experience pain with Clubfoot, treatment should begin immediately after birth. Club foot can cause significant problems as the child grows. But with early treatment, most children born with clubfoot lead a normal life.

What Causes Clubfoot?

In some cases, clubfoot results from the position of the baby while developing in the mother’s womb (postural clubfoot). But more often, clubfoot’s genesis relates to a combination of genetic and environmental factors that doctors refer to as an orthopedic birth defect. If someone in your family has clubfoot, then offspring are more likely to get the condition. Then, if your family has one child with clubfoot, the chances of a second infant having the condition increase.

When a doctor diagnoses Clubfoot, the doctor will look for additional health problems because children with clubfoot can also possess other medical conditions, such as spina bifida, Hip dysplasia, arthrogryposis, or myotonic dystrophy. For this reason, as soon as a doctor diagnoses clubfoot, the infant should get evaluated by a Pediatric Orthopedic doctor as well. Clubfoot can also result from problems that affect the nerve, muscle, and bone systems.

What Are The Symptoms of Clubfoot?

The tendons in a clubfoot are shortened. Also, the bones are distorted and the Achilles tendon appears tightened. If the child does not get treated, the child may walk on his or her ankles or the sides of the feet.

The following are the symptoms of clubfoot in children:

• A stiff rigid foot of varying degrees.
• The foot (especially the heel) usually appears smaller than normal and turned in.
• Short and/or tight heel cord and the foot may point downward.
• The front of the foot may point toward the other foot.
• The foot may turn in, and in extreme cases, the bottom of the foot can point up.
• Deep heel crease; soft heel pad and overall wide front foot and smaller foot.

A medical care professional usually notices if a child has a clubfoot at birth.  In some cases, it can be detected before birth. Most children with clubfoot have no other complications, while in some cases clubfoot can have other conditions, like spina bifida.

Clubfoot Diagnosis

As mentioned earlier, ultrasound can detect clubfoot, although the severity of the condition occurs after the birth of the baby. Normally, doctors diagnose the condition after birth, based on the appearance and mobility of the feet and legs. In some cases, especially if the clubfoot is due to the position of the growing baby (postural clubfoot), the foot is flexible and moves into a normal or nearly normal position after birth. In other cases, the doctors report a rigid or stiff foot, and the muscles in the back of the calf are very tight.

Normally, doctors discover the condition at birth or at their initial evaluation after birth. An X-ray does not usually confirm the condition in a baby’s foot because ankle bones are not fully ossified (filled in with bony material) yet and do not show well on X-ray.

Clubfoot Treatment

Clubfoot runs in some families. If your child gets diagnosed with clubfoot, there are different treatment options that you can explore. The earlier you begin treatment, the better. Since a baby’s joints and bones are very flexible, doctors can easily manipulate them (to put the foot in the correct position) when treatment begins at an early stage.

Treatment for children with clubfoot starts soon after birth because the bones are mostly cartilage, and easily moldable. This early intervention will help your child have better mobility as he or she grows. The foot will grow strong and bear weight for standing and moving comfortably.

Nonsurgical Treatments

The Ponseti Method consists of a treatment phase and a maintenance phase. The Ponseti method is a non-surgical treatment for infants born with clubfoot and involves gentle manipulation and stretching of the baby’s foot and leg to gradually correct the position of the foot. The treatment typically starts soon after birth and involves weekly appointments with a trained healthcare provider.

Here are the basic steps of the Ponseti method:

• Manipulation: The healthcare provider gently manipulates the baby’s foot and leg to gradually move the foot into the correct position. This is done in a series of appointments over several weeks.
• Baby Foot Casting: After the foot has been manipulated, a cast is applied to hold the foot in the correct position. The cast is changed weekly as the foot gradually moves into the correct position. This manipulation and immobilization procedure happens every 1 to 2 weeks for 2 to 4 months, moving the foot a little closer toward a normal position each time.
• Achilles tenotomy: In some cases, the doctor may suggest a minor surgical procedure called an Achilles tenotomy to release the tight Achilles tendon and allow the foot to move into the correct position.
• Bracing: Once the foot is in the correct position, the baby will wear a brace, usually for a few years. The brace is worn full-time for the first few months and then gradually reduced to nighttime use only. The brace helps to maintain the correction and prevent the foot from returning to its original position.

The Ponseti method has a high success rate and is considered the gold standard for treating clubfoot. It is a safe and effective treatment that can allow children with clubfoot to walk and run normally.

Will Casting or Bracing Delay My Child’s Development?

Parents often worry about how medical treatments might impact their child’s growth and development. If your baby has been diagnosed with clubfoot, it’s natural to question whether treatments like casting or bracing could affect their developmental milestones.

Normal Development with Treatment

• Generally, treatments such as casting, bracing, and splinting are designed to align and correct the clubfoot without hindering normal development. These procedures are essential to ensure your child attains functional foot alignment, which is crucial for activities like standing and walking.

Following Medical Advice is Crucial

• Adherence to your doctor’s guidance on casting and bracing timelines is vital. Following these recommendations closely will help prevent any recurrence of the clubfoot, protecting your child’s ability to develop typical motor skills over time.

Positive Outcomes and Research

• Research supports that children with clubfoot can achieve normal developmental milestones, provided they follow a consistent treatment plan. It’s important to maintain regular follow-up appointments and consult with your healthcare provider to monitor progress and make any necessary adjustments.

In summary, while it’s common to have concerns, the treatments are structured to support normal development and your medical team will work to ensure your child thrives.

Ankle-Foot Orthosis Devices and Their Benefits

Ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) devices are specialized supports designed to aid individuals, particularly children, who face challenges in mobility. These devices are essential for stabilizing the joint region encompassing the ankle and foot, providing crucial assistance for those who struggle with regular movement activities.

What Are Ankle-Foot Orthosis Devices?

AFO devices include braces or supports crafted from lightweight materials such as plastic or carbon fiber. They’re tailored to fit snugly around the foot and ankle area, extending up to the lower leg. This design ensures that the foot remains in a stable, neutral position, which can drastically improve balance and walking efficiency.

How Do They Help?

• Enhancing Mobility: By maintaining optimal foot alignment, AFOs help smooth and steady movements, assisting children in activities like walking, running, and playing.
• Correcting Gait Issues: These devices provide essential support which can correct gait abnormalities. Kids who experience difficulty lifting their foot or flexing their ankle benefit greatly from the corrective nature of AFOs.
• Providing Stability and Support: The added stability from AFOs allows children to move with greater confidence and reduced fatigue, empowering them to participate more fully in daily activities.
• Enabling Independence: With improved mobility and stability, children can gain independence, significantly enhancing their quality of life.
• Preventing Further Injury: Proper alignment and support reduce the risk of falls and other injuries, safeguarding the child during play.

AFO devices come in various designs tailored to individual needs, ensuring that each child receives the specific support required. For parents seeking solutions to mobility challenges, these orthoses can open up a world of possibilities for their children’s movement and participation in childhood joys.

The Surgical Treatment

The Percutaneous Transverse Achilles Lengthening (TAL) procedure is sometimes required if the heel cord is too tight to stretch in a cast. During this procedure, your doctor will make a small cut through the tendon to help it stretch and lengthen, it normally takes about 15 minutes under general anesthesia in a hospital.

At the Medical City Children’s Orthopedics and Spine Specialists, we are experts in foot deformities. For this condition, we immediately begin casting. Toward the end of the series of castings, if the whole foot is pointing down, minor surgery to lengthen the tight Achilles tendon will take place. This is usually an outpatient procedure. This treatment works well if it is started right away and if the doctor’s instructions for bracing are followed after casting is finished. It helps at least 90 out of 100 children who have clubfoot.

If a few months of progressive manipulation and immobilization don’t move the foot into a more normal position, our doctors may suggest surgery. The most common surgical procedures are to lengthen or release the tight soft-tissue structures, including ligaments and tendons such as the heel cord (Achilles tendon), and to reposition the bones of the ankle as needed.

After Surgery

Small wires are often used to hold the bones in place and then are removed after 4 to 6 weeks. Splinting or casting usually occurs after surgery to keep the foot in the correct position during healing. After either nonsurgical or surgical treatment, splints are also used to keep the clubfoot from starting to form again. Your child should also have regular check-ups until he or she stops growing. If your child had surgery, he or she may also need physical therapy.

A mild recurrence of clubfoot can occur, even after successful treatment.  However, after treatment, most children can wear shoes comfortably and walk, run, and play. If the child does not walk by the time he or she becomes 18 months old, you may need to see a specialist.

Complications of Clubfoot

Clubfoot makes the calf muscles appear smaller and less developed. If the affected foot is properly treated, it should not have any adverse effect on the child and he or she will play and run like the other kids. However, if not treated, it can lead to long-term mobility problems. The child will not feel any discomfort or pain until he or she starts standing and tries to walk. This birth defect will make it difficult to walk on the soles of the feet.

Instead, the child will use the balls, the outer part, or (in severe cases) the top of the affected foot. The child is also at risk of developing arthritis. The inability of the child to walk properly can make him or her unable to participate in some activities. The strange appearance of the foot can also affect the child’s confidence.

Importance of Early Detection and Treatment of Clubfoot in Children

It is not difficult to detect clubfoot early in children because the doctor only needs to check the baby’s feet to know if he or she has clubfoot. As stated earlier, X-rays can also determine how severe the birth defect is. A club foot condition often becomes detected while the baby is in the womb through ultrasound. Early detection of clubfoot helps parents explore the appropriate treatment options before the child is born.

Medical City Children’s Orthopedic and Spine Specialists Help Children Stand on Their Feet

At Medical City Children’s Orthopedic and Spine Specialists, our team of experienced and specialty-trained physicians, physical therapists, and cast technicians will provide successful Ponseti method treatment to ensure that your child makes the right progress to walk, run, and play like other children. The majority of children with clubfoot will undergo correction when in infancy in about six to eight weeks with the proper gentle manipulations and plaster casts. After the correction, our specialists will provide the necessary instructions on how the child should wear a clubfoot brace so that the child can maintain the correction as he or she grows.

Clubfoot Bracing to Prevent a Relapse

Upon the doctor correcting a clubfoot, the child will need bracing to keep it corrected and prevent a relapse.  This really is an essential part of the treatment.  Please note that the doctor’s work will unravel if the child does not wear the bracing properly.

Therefore, the brace is critical for the success of the clubfoot treatment. If the brace does not get worn, a relapse is very likely.  If bracing is stopped at any point during the treatment, a relapse can occur at the following rates:

• 1st Year: 90%
• 2nd Year: 70 – 80%
• 3rd Year: 30 – 40%
• 4th Year: 10 – 15%
• 5th Year + : 5%

Clubfoot Brace Use

In children under walking age, the brace is worn 23 hours per day for 12 weeks. It is then worn at night and during nap time until the child is 4 – 5 years old. Bracing is a crucial component of the treatment process, particularly in the Ponseti method, where it follows the removal of the final cast. Initially, the brace comprises two shoes connected by a bar. After this final cast is taken off, the brace is worn full-time, similar to the initial 23-hour period, but with breaks for skin checks and bathing.

Timeline Overview:

• First 12 Weeks: 23 hours per day
• Following Period: Worn at night and during naps until at least age 4

This structured approach helps ensure the treatment’s success and prevents relapse, making it an integral part of the recovery journey. A child must wear the brace as soon as the last cast is removed to avoid the foot turning back into its previous position

Why Choose Medical City Children’s Orthopedics and Spine Specialists for Your Child

Finally, our doctors at Medical City Children’s Orthopedics and Spine Specialists, with offices in Arlington, Dallas, Flower Mound, Frisco, and McKinney, TX understand the importance of maintaining your child’s health. In addition, our experts and specialists have the training, knowledge, and experience required to treat clubfoot.  Our physicians at Medical City Children’s Orthopedic and Spine Specialists have years of experience and expertise in the treatment of clubfoot. Our board-certified physicians specialize in the treatment of children and adolescents and can give your child the care and attention they deserve. We are accepting new patients and invite you to call us for an appointment.

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Footnote:

Kids Health: Clubfoot