Club Foot: Important facts that every parents must know
The small fetus growing in the womb of a woman grows periodically. But, there is some fetus that develops some congenital deformities of their limbs. One such problem is Clubfoot, where the foot of the baby turns inward, and the sole faces the leg.
What is meant by ClubFoot?
Children with ClubFoot have a foot which is twisted inward and is not in a normal position. the medical name is CTEV.
This is a complex deformity of bone-joint, ligaments-capsule, muscle-tendons.
Causes of Clubfoot in Children
According to research, the actual reason for a fetus to develop clubfoot is still not known.
But anomaly during development of limbs can lead to: -
Classes of Clubfoot-
Risk Factors include
Associated abnormality
Diagnosis
Clubfoot is a clinical diagnosis. Sometimes, doctors also identify the problem of clubfoot before birth through an ultrasound as early as 12 weeks of pregnancy. Though, treatment cannot be started until the baby is born but you can plan about the same at an early stage.
Treatment
Once clubfoot is diagnosed in your child, a Pediatric orthopedic surgeon will commence the treatment in as early as 2nd day of life. The treatment works better if started at an early stage of diagnosis. There are generally two possible ways to treat this condition:
The Department of Pediatric Orthopedics at Neotia Bhagirathi Woman and Child Care Centre, New Town offers the best bone and joint care for your children in a holistic environment. Being one of the few hospitals we strive to provide a comprehensive and one roof solutions related to Pediatric Orthopedic disorders. The Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon here at the hospital utilizes the most advanced non-surgical and surgical treatment protocoland techniques to heal your child. The hospital has one of the best and safest facilities to take care of your neonates in NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) complemented by SCBU (Special Baby Care Unit). PICU (Pediatric Intensive Care Unit) is also equipped with most upgraded and advanced technologies backed by round the clock specialist doctors and trained nurses to care for your child. Here in Neotia Bhagirathi Woman and Child Care Centre, New Town the goal is to provide not only the best treatment for your child but also trying to provide the love and affection to your child which he/she needs.
What is meant by ClubFoot?
Children with ClubFoot have a foot which is twisted inward and is not in a normal position. the medical name is CTEV.
- C-Congenital = from birth
- T-Tali= talus (bone of the foot which is the main reason behind the deformity)
- E-Equino= horse like
- V-Varus= bend inward
This is a complex deformity of bone-joint, ligaments-capsule, muscle-tendons.
Causes of Clubfoot in Children
According to research, the actual reason for a fetus to develop clubfoot is still not known.
But anomaly during development of limbs can lead to: -
- Primary muscular lesion
- Developmental arrest
- Abnormal tendon insertion-retracting fibrosis
- Abnormal histology
Classes of Clubfoot-
- Postural- mildest, corrects with manipulation
- Idiopathic- cause is not known is the most common variety
- Neurogenic- spinal cord anomaly
- Syndromic- like Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita
Risk Factors include
- Family history- If either of the parents has had clubfoot, the child might get the same
- Congenital abnormalities- Clubfoot can occur due to congenital abnormalities present during the birth
- Environmental condition- Smoking during pregnancy can increase the baby’s risk of clubfoot
- Less of amniotic fluid during pregnancy- Less of fluid that surrounds the baby’s womb increase the risk of clubfoot.
Associated abnormality
- Hip dysplasia should be screened in all children presenting with Clubfoot.
Diagnosis
Clubfoot is a clinical diagnosis. Sometimes, doctors also identify the problem of clubfoot before birth through an ultrasound as early as 12 weeks of pregnancy. Though, treatment cannot be started until the baby is born but you can plan about the same at an early stage.
Treatment
Once clubfoot is diagnosed in your child, a Pediatric orthopedic surgeon will commence the treatment in as early as 2nd day of life. The treatment works better if started at an early stage of diagnosis. There are generally two possible ways to treat this condition:
- Stretching- This is one of the most common treatment to cure this disease. The PediatricOrthopedicsurgeon will try to first move the child’s foot in proper position and then hold the corrected position in a cast. This stretching and casting are done weekly once for approximate 4-7 weeks. Very often this process corrects all the deformities, but the tight heel cord remains, which requires a small surgery to release the heel cord. After the full correction is achieved then a special shoe named ‘foot abduction brace’ are given, which is worn by child till the age of 5 years.
- Surgery- If the previous method doesn’t work properly, or if the child’s deformity is very severe surgery may require. The surgeon will lengthen the tendon and realign the bones or joints to correct the clubfoot.
The Department of Pediatric Orthopedics at Neotia Bhagirathi Woman and Child Care Centre, New Town offers the best bone and joint care for your children in a holistic environment. Being one of the few hospitals we strive to provide a comprehensive and one roof solutions related to Pediatric Orthopedic disorders. The Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon here at the hospital utilizes the most advanced non-surgical and surgical treatment protocoland techniques to heal your child. The hospital has one of the best and safest facilities to take care of your neonates in NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) complemented by SCBU (Special Baby Care Unit). PICU (Pediatric Intensive Care Unit) is also equipped with most upgraded and advanced technologies backed by round the clock specialist doctors and trained nurses to care for your child. Here in Neotia Bhagirathi Woman and Child Care Centre, New Town the goal is to provide not only the best treatment for your child but also trying to provide the love and affection to your child which he/she needs.