Clubfoot
by
Cynthia M. Johnson, MA DefinitionClubfoot is a birth defect that causes the foot to turn in and point down. The tendons that connect the leg muscles to the foot are too short and tight. A clubfoot is usually smaller than a normal-sized foot. CausesThe cause is not known. It may be a mix of genetic and the environment.
Risk FactorsThis problem is more common in men. It is also more common in people with other family members who have it. Smoking during pregnancy may raise the risk. SymptomsA clubfoot appears at birth and may affect one or both feet. The foot may:
DiagnosisA clubfoot is diagnosed at birth based on how the foot looks. It may also be diagnosed before birth during an ultrasound.
TreatmentThe goal of treatment is to correct the foot so the child can walk with it flat on the ground. Treatment needs to be started early. Options are:
Children with severe clubfoot may need surgery. It can help repair deformed tendons and muscles. PreventionWomen who are pregnant may lower the risk of this problem in their child by not smoking. RESOURCES:American Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Society http://www.aofas.org Ortho Info—American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons https://orthoinfo.org CANADIAN RESOURCES:Health Canada https://www.canada.ca When it Hurts to Move—Canadian Orthopaedic Foundation http://whenithurtstomove.org References:Clubfoot. EBSCO Nursing Reference Center website. Available at: https://www.ebscohost.com/nursing/products/nursing-reference-center. Accessed December 10, 2020. Clubfoot. Johns Hopkins website. Available at: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/clubfoot. Accessed December 10, 2020. Clubfoot. KidsHealth—Nemours Foundation website. Available at: https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/clubfoot.html. Accessed December 10, 2020. Clubfoot. Massachusetts General Hospital Orthopedic Surgery website. Available at: ...(Click grey area to select URL) Accessed December 10, 2020. Clubfoot. Ortho Info—American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons website. Available at: ...(Click grey area to select URL) Accessed December 10, 2020. Clubfoot. Seattle Children's website. Available at:
https://www.seattlechildrens.org/conditions/clubfoot.
Accessed December 10, 2020. Last reviewed September 2020 by EBSCO Medical Review Board
Chelsea Skucek, MSN, BS, RNC-NIC Last Updated: 5/26/2021 |
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