‘Clubfoot’ is a group of foot deformities that shortens the tissues tying muscles to bones or tendons. As a result, the child’s feet may appear to be twisted downward and inward.
Infants have difficulty walking because the calf muscles in the affected leg are yet undeveloped. As congenital foot deformities, clubfoot cannot be prevented by the parents.
However, they can help the child walk normally by seeking the advice of a qualified orthopaedic. By looking at the posture and shape of the foot, the orthopaedic determines the best course of action for clubfoot. To determine the severity of clubfoot, they can even advise an X-ray. Even clubfoot can be treated, both surgically and non-surgically. However, a skilled orthopaedic surgeon would always begin non-surgical treatment for clubfoot.
Nonsurgical Treatment for Clubfoot
Infants’ feet and joints often have far greater flexibility than children’s corresponding body parts. In order to restore the child’s foot to normal function and allow him to walk normally, the orthopaedic begins clubfoot treatment right away. Even in the first week following birth, nonsurgical treatment for clubfoot is begun.
Casting and stretching are typically used as nonsurgical clubfoot treatments. The doctor casts the child’s injured foot as part of the initial treatment to correct its alignment.
For several months, the child’s foot must be recast and repositioned by the parents once or twice a week. After realigning the child’s foot, stretching exercises must be made him do. Even wearing braces and shoes with particular designs may be necessary for the child.
Medical Care for Clubfoot
If nonsurgical treatment for clubfoot is unsuccessful, a skilled orthopaedic will treat it surgically. If the symptoms are severe, the doctors may even undertake surgery to treat clubfoot. Through tendon lengthening surgery, the afflicted foot is realigned. Additionally, a cast must be applied on the foot for one to two months. The child must thereafter wear braces in order to prevent the clubfoot from reappearing and walk normally.
In general, there are surgical and non-surgical options for treating clubfoot. Clubfoot is always non-surgically treated by skilled orthopaedics using stretching and casting. However, they only perform surgery to treat clubfoot if all other treatments have failed. Therefore, in order to help their child walk normally, parents should always seek a diagnosis and treatment for clubfoot as soon as feasible.
