Patient Education · Maternal-Fetal Medicine

Understanding Clubfoot

What to expect when your baby's foot turns inward

For expecting parents Fetal diagnosis consultation

Definition

What Is Clubfoot?

▶ Foot turns inward and downward at birth
▶ Medical term: talipes equinovarus
▶ One or both feet may be affected
▶ Detected on prenatal ultrasound

Epidemiology

How Common Is It?

1 in 1,000 babies are born with clubfoot

One of the most common structural birth conditions. Your care team has extensive experience treating it.

Etiology

What Causes Clubfoot?

Contributing Factors

▶ Often no clear cause identified
▶ Genetic predisposition
▶ Family history increases risk

Important to Know

▶ Not caused by anything you did
▶ Cannot be prevented

Outcomes

Will My Baby Be Okay?

>95% treatment success rate with the Ponseti method

▶ Walk, run, and play normally
▶ Treatment begins shortly after birth
▶ Most children have no long-term limitations

Treatment

The Ponseti Method

Birth – 2 wks Assessment & planning

2 – 8 wks Serial casting (weekly)

~8 wks Tenotomy (if needed)

Age 0 – 4 yrs Brace wear

Long-term Normal activity

Treatment — Phase 1

Serial Casting

▶ Begins within days of birth
▶ New cast applied weekly for 6–8 weeks
▶ Gently repositions foot with each change
▶ Performed by pediatric orthopedic specialist

Treatment — Phase 2

Tenotomy & Bracing

Tenotomy

▶ Small Achilles tendon procedure
▶ Needed in ~80% of cases
▶ Done under local anesthesia

Bracing

▶ 23 hrs/day for first 3 months
▶ Nights/naps until age 4–5
▶ Prevents recurrence

Long-term

Long-Term Outlook

▶ Most children walk and run normally
▶ Can participate in sports and physical activities
▶ Treated foot may be slightly smaller
▶ Periodic follow-up until skeletal maturity

Athletes with treated clubfoot compete at the highest levels of sport.

Summary

Key Takeaways

1 Clubfoot is treatable — outcomes with the Ponseti method are excellent

2 Treatment begins shortly after birth with gentle serial casting

3 With proper care, most children have no long-term activity limitations

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