Clubfoot

One child out of every 1,000 will be born a clubfoot, and half of those will have both feet affected. Clubfoot is usually diagnosed at birth, and sometimes before birth.

In an infant, clubfoot itself is not painful. However, if untreated, it does not improve on its own and actually worsens. Eventually it creates skin breakdown, ulceration and infection.

In the most severe untreated cases, it can ultimately lead to an amputation.

At University of Maryland Orthopaedics, our foot specialists can correct clubfoot long before it becomes a painful problem for your child. Call 410-448-6400 to make an appointment. 

What Is Clubfoot?

With a clubfoot, the foot is curved both inward and downward. It can cause children to walk on the side or the top of their foot.

The bones are abnormally shaped and the tendons, muscles and ligaments are tight. The foot and calf are usually smaller than normal, and the muscles may be weaker and the nerves may be abnormal. Often the blood supply is abnormal as well.

Not all clubfeet are the same. Some are flexible while others are stiff. Some deformities are mild yet others are severe. Due to these differences, treatments and outcomes may vary.

There are four different types of clubfeet:

• Positional clubfoot is a normal foot that was held in an abnormal position in the womb. The bony alignment is normal, and the foot is usually corrected by stretching or casting.
• Teratologic clubfoot is associated with neurological disorders such as spina bifida. It almost always requires surgery, although casting does help stretch the soft tissues in preparation for surgery.
• Syndromic clubfoot is associated with an overall genetic syndrome such as arthrogryposis. It also normally requires surgery, though casting can help prepare for surgery.
• Congenital clubfoot is a foot with abnormal bony deformity present at birth that is not associated with any neuromuscular cause or syndrome.

Clubfoot Treatment

Ideally, treatment begins as soon as possible after birth. Usually non-surgical treatments are tried first.

Casting and Bracing for Clubfoot

This involves manipulation of the foot into the best possible position and holding it with a long leg casting. Typically the manipulation and casting are performed once a week (sometimes biweekly) for 6 to 8 weeks.

The majority of feet can be corrected in this manner. If casting is successful, the foot will then be held in either a plastic brace, or a corrective shoe and bar to maintain the correction until the child begins to walk.

Clubfoot Surgery

If the foot is not completely corrected or if the deformity recurs, surgery the next option. Surgery is usually done between 6 and 9 months of age so that the foot is corrected by the time the child is ready to stand and walk.

After surgery the foot is held in a cast for 6 to 12 weeks followed by use of a plastic brace to hold the foot in a corrected position and limit the possibility of recurrence.

There is a 20-25 percent chance of recurrence of the deformity after successful correction (by either casting or surgery). This may require further surgery and/or casting.

No matter what the treatment, the goal is to create a foot with the sole on the ground, which is flexible and pain free. Most children with corrected clubfeet will go onto lead normal lives, but they will still need to be followed.

Even after growth is complete, the patient with a clubfoot needs to be seen by a specialist to ensure a well-functioning foot in adulthood.

Make an Appointment

To make an appointment with one of our orthopedic specialists or to learn more about our services, centers and treatment options, please call 410-448-6400 or view our orthopedic locations.