A clubfoot is a congenital condition which causes the foot
to turn inward and to point down. More
common in boys, the cause of a clubfoot is unknown however it can be hereditary. Though
a clubfoot will not affect a child’s development at birth, it will cause
complications as the child learns to walk.
At the Orlando Orthopaedic Center our pediatric orthopaedic specialist
uses cutting edge technology to treat cases of clubfoot. If you are looking for treatment options for clubfoot
correction, turn to the experts as the Orlando Orthopaedic Center.
Symptoms of a Clubfoot
Clubfoot symptoms are generally obvious immediately; the
foot will be turned inward and down, in some cases the foot and calf muscle may
be smaller than average. Because a
clubfoot is present at birth it is often identified during an infant’s initial
physical examination or even before birth, during an ultrasound.
Clubfoot Correction
Casting of the generally and is often used for clubfoot treatment. The cast is removed weekly to
allow for stretching and continued improvement of the position of the
foot. Once the foot is in the correct
position a final cast is put in place for roughly 3 weeks. Finally the infant is fitted with a brace
which is worn, during rest, for as many as 3 years. An outpatient procedure which releases a
tense Achilles tendon is sometimes required as well. In very severe cases, surgery is performed to
correct the clubfoot.
Because there have been reports in some cases of a clubfoot
returning, children who suffer from clubfoot should be monitored by a pediatric
orthopaedic specialist until the foot is completely developed.
At the
Orlando Orthopaedic Center our pediatric orthopaedic specialist treats children
suffering from a host of orthopaedic condtions including clubfoot. No matter the severity; our specialist is
here to help your child, and your family, through every step of the diagnosis,
treatment and recovery process. If you are
interested in learning more about clubfoot correction, schedule a consultation
with our pediatric orthopaedic specialist today.