What is clubbed foot caused by?

Clubfoot most often presents at birth. Clubfoot is caused by a shortened Achilles tendon, which causes the foot to turn in and under. Clubfoot is twice as common in boys. Treatment is necessary to correct clubfoot and is usually done in two phases — casting and bracing.

Can clubfoot be fixed?

Clubfoot won’t get better on its own. It used to be fixed with surgery. But now, doctors use a series of casts, gentle movements and stretches of the foot, and a brace to slowly move the foot into the right position— this is called the Ponseti method.

How is clubfoot treated?

Most cases of clubfoot are successfully treated with nonsurgical methods that may include a combination of stretching, casting, and bracing. Treatment usually begins shortly after birth.

Is clubfoot hereditary?

Clubfoot is considered a “multifactorial trait.” Multifactorial inheritance means there are many factors involved in causing a birth defect. The factors are usually both genetic and environmental. Often one gender (either male or female) is affected more frequently than the other in multifactorial traits.

What is pigeon toed?

​Children who walk with their feet turned in are described as being “pigeon-toed” or having “intoeing.” This is a very common condition that may involve one or both feet, and it occurs for a variety of reasons.

Can you see club feet on an ultrasound?

What does clubfoot look like on an ultrasound? Signs of clubfoot are a lot less obvious on an ultrasound than they are after the child is born. An obstetrician (OB) will suspect clubfoot if they see one or both feet in a certain position on the ultrasound (foot pointed downward and inward).

Is club foot caused by inbreeding?

Tutankhamun was afflicted with severe genetic disorders, most likely because of inbreeding, according to an upcoming documentary on the legendary pharaoh.

Does clubfoot come from Mom or Dad?

In some cases, clubfoot is part of a syndrome or birth defect. In other cases, the foot was in an awkward position in the mother’s womb. But most of the time, children are born with clubfoot for no known reason.

Does clubfoot require surgery?

Surgery is performed to correct clubfoot and align the foot in a more normal position. The surgical procedure usually consists of releasing and lengthening the tight tendons/joint capsule of the foot. Many surgeons prefer to make two separate incisions, a posteromedial incision, and a small lateral incision.