WHAT IS CLUBFOOT

Clubfoot is a fairly common birth defect in which a baby's foot is twisted out of shape or position. 

Doctors are generally able to treat it successfully without surgery, though some children might need follow-up surgery later.

Some risk factors of Club Foot:  

• Family history - Either of the parents or siblings have had clubfoot. Risk double in case of smoking during pregnancy in case of existing family history
• Congenital conditions -  spina bifida, a serious birth defect that occurs when the tissue surrounding the developing spinal cord of a fetus doesn't close properly
• An infection or use of drugs during pregnancy-can expose the baby to increased risk of clubfoot
• Being short on amniotic fluid during pregnancy- too little of the fluid that surrounds the baby in the womb 

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF CLUBFOOT? 

Club foot is easily recognizable after birth, it might look like as follows:

• Top of the foot is generally twisted downward and inward, increasing the arch and heel  turning inward
• Foot may look as if turned upside down
• Calf muscles in the affected leg are generally underdeveloped
• Affected foot may be shorter than the other foot
• Clubfoot itself doesn't cause any discomfort or pain 

DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT 

Diagnosis: A doctor recognises clubfoot soon after birth just from looking at the shape and positioning of the newborn's foot. He may request X-rays to fully understand how severe the clubfoot is, but usually X-rays are not necessary.It is also possible to clearly see some cases of clubfoot before birth during an ultrasound exam. 

Treatment: The treatment for clubfoot usually begins in the first or second week post birth. The primary option for treatment is stretching and casting of the club foot. Or surgery may also be needed.  

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

1. Prevention: The club foot may be caused by a combination of genetico-environmental factors, the exact reason why some babies are born with Club Foot is not known. Hence, avoidance from smoking, alcohol and certain drugs during pregnancy is advised. 
2. Complications: Clubfoot may not cause any problems until the child starts to walk. With timely treatment most children will be able to walk properly, in some cases complications such as the affected side may have smaller calf muscles, shoe size and mobility may be limited.