Clubfoot In Babies: What You Need To Know

When it comes to our babies, we are extremely protective and want to ensure the best for them. And, if we come across anything out of ordinary, it can catch us off-guard. It may even invoke a feeling of sadness and helplessness within us. But here, the best thing that we can do is to be as well-prepared as possible. This enables us to tackle this challenge better, without letting any unnecessary stress get to us. Here, we are going to be talking about one such medical condition – clubfoot.

It is said that nearly one out of every thousand babies can be born with a twisted foot. The little ones’ feet may curl a little sideways or the toes might bend in a peculiar way. The feet might point in another direction or the shape might be odd, giving it a sort of a crooked appearance. As per the medical terms, this condition is known as clubfoot (1).

The little ones who have clubfoot when they are born don’t face any other issues healthwise. And, only one in three of them has it in both their feet. While clubfoot is not known to cause any pain, it may make the kid limp if left untreated. But, it is mostly easy to correct so the kids might not suffer from any long-lasting effects (2).

Is It Possible To Prevent Clubfoot?

This medical condition occurs because the muscles and the tendons may be shorter than usual. The tendons are a group of tissues that connect the muscles and the bones. Since doctors are not really sure about why it occurs, it is tough to determine what can prevent clubfoot in babies. But, there are a few things that may increase the chances of clubfoot. Here are some of them (3):

1. Gender: Nearly 66 percent of babies who have clubfoot are males.
2. Family History: If babies are born to parents who have clubfoot, they are twice as likely to have it too.
3. Lifestyle: Consumption of alcohol or any illegal drugs during pregnancy may increase the chances of the babies getting it.
4. Any Other Birth Condition: In a few cases, clubfoot has been linked with the presence of another birth defect like spina bifida.

Symptoms Of Clubfoot

Here are some signs that you can look out for after your little one’s birth (4):

1. The foot is pointing in the downward direction. And, the toes may curl inward.
2. The foot may seem sideways or might even appear upside-down.
3. The foot might be smaller in size as compared to a normal foot.
4. The affected leg’s calf muscles might seem under-developed.
5. The motion of the foot might seem restricted.

Most doctors are able to recognize the clubfoot as soon as they see the little one after delivery. And, there are some gynecs who may even detect it if you get an ultrasound done in the later stages of your pregnancy.

Treatment For Clubfoot

Doctors usually start treating the clubfoot shortly after the baby’s birth. The little ones are going to seldom use their feet, at least until they begin to stand or walk. And, the doctor’s aim is to correct it soon enough so that there aren’t any delays. The doctor might suggest either a cast or a surgery to treat it.

Since the tendons and the muscles of babies can easily stretch, the doctors try to turn the foot in the right direction. They gently move it to the desired position and slip on a cast so that the foot stays in its place. The cast is removed after a week. The baby’s foot is stretched gently and again moved in a position closer to the right one. The cast is again put on. This pattern continues until the clubfoot is corrected.

But, in cases where the size of the foot itself is smaller, stretching and casting can’t do the job. Only in such situations, the doctor may recommend you to go ahead with surgery.

We, at MomJunction, hope that this was helpful to you. And, don’t worry, you are a warrior and you can take on every challenge, mommy. Good luck!

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