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Club Foot |
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 What is Clubfoot ? |
What are the treatment options for Clubfoot ? |
| Why is it called Clubfoot ? |
Conservative treatment |
| Who is at risk of Clubfoot ? |
Surgical Intervention |
| What are the causes of Clubfoot ? |
What are the complications of Clubfoot ? |
| What are the symptoms of Clubfoot ? |
Frequently Asked Questions |
| How can Clubfoot be diagnosed ? |
Glossary |
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| What is Clubfoot ? |
Clubfoot, medically known as talipes, is a foot deformity present at birth (a congenital deformity) affecting the shape or position of one or both feet. |
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| Why is it called Clubfoot ? |
The foot resembles the end of a golf club (hence its name). The most common form of clubfoot is known as 'equinovarus', clubfoot is also known as Talipes Equinovarus or Talipes
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| Who is at Risk of Clubfoot ? |
About one child in 1000 is born with clubfoot, and twice as many boys have it as girls. Familial history is also a positive risk factor. |
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| What are the causes of Clubfoot ? |
The exact cause of clubfoot is not known, but the condition may be inherited. |
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| What are the symptoms of Clubfoot ? |
Clubfoot is the most common disorder of the legs that children are born with. The deformity can range from mild and flexible deformity to severe and rigid deformity.
Some of the common features include :-
 The heel is pointed away from the body and is drawn
upwards.
The foot is twisted in towards the other foot.
The toes are pointed down.
The affected foot and leg, will be stiff and smaller in size, when compared to a normal child.
The calf muscle may be smaller than normal and
underdeveloped.
There will be lack of ankle joint motion.
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| Surgical Intervention |
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| What are the complications of Clubfoot ? |
Some defects may not be totally correctable, but with treatment the appearance and function of the foot can be improved. The treatment may be less successful if the clubfoot is associated with other birth disorders.
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| Frequently Asked Questions |
Which doctor should I see for Clubfoot ?
You should see a orthopedic surgeon. Physiotherapy also has a role in treating club foot
How long should the treatment continue ?
There are chances for the deformity to relapse even though it is corrected. So the child needs continuous check up and treatment through out his growing age.
Can surgery be done immediately to the newborn baby, as soon as the Clubfoot is detected ?
No, surgery is done, only when the conservative treatment fails for the child. The child should be of sufficient size so that the structures like bones, tendons, ligaments, muscles can be identified, during surgery for correction. The right age for surgery is six months of age and above.
What happens if the Clubfoot is left untreated ?
If clubfoot is left untreated, the child's foot will be automatically turned inwards and the child could not be able to place his foot flat on the ground and finds difficult to walk.
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| Glossary |
Congenital - Congenital is a term, which denotes Acquired by Birth.
Talipes - Talipes refers to Ankle and foot. This is a condition of foot caused by shortening of muscles and tendons.
Equino varus - The position of foot pointing downwards and inwards.
Orthopedics - This is a Medical speciality, which is related to the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of Musculo-skeletal system.
Manipulation - This is a treatment, where the doctor manually, holds and stretches the foot to correct the abnormal position.
Deformity - Deformity is a major difference in shape of body or part of a body compared to the normal shape of the body.
Soft tissue operation - This is a surgical operation done to correct the shortened tendons and ligaments of the foot, causing abnormal position of the foot.
Osteotomy - This is a surgical operation where the affected bones are cut and removed.
Splints - Splints are devices, which supports and maintains the corrected position.
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