Does your baby have clubfoot too? Let's talk about this 'Clubfoot'!

It's normal to feel a little scared and worried when you look at your newborn baby with one or both legs bent inward and pulled in. Many new parents worry about this. But don't worry, this is a condition that can be treated and almost completely cured. In medical terms, we call this condition 'Clubfoot'. So today, let's talk about everything in a very simple way.

What exactly is Clubfoot?

Simply put, clubfoot is a condition in which a baby is born with one or both feet that are deformed, or have a deformity. This means that the foot is turned inward or downward, and is positioned at an odd angle. Sometimes the foot may even appear to be turned upside down.

Think about it, the tissues that connect the muscles to the bones in our feet are called tendons . In clubfoot, these tendons and muscles become shorter than normal. Then, those shortened tendons pull the foot inward. That's what causes this condition.

Difference between Metatarsus adductus and Clubfoot

Sometimes there is another condition similar to this called Metatarsus adductus . But it is not as severe as Clubfoot. What happens in this case is that only the bones in the front of the foot turn inward. The ankle and the back of the foot are normal. However, in Clubfoot, not only the bones in the front of the foot, but the entire foot falls down and the ankle also turns inward. Metatarsus adductus often does not require special treatment. It usually goes away on its own when the baby starts walking.

Is this condition painful for the baby?

No. This is the most important thing. Clubfoot does not cause any pain to the newborn baby. So you should not worry about it.

However, if we don't treat this in a timely manner, it can lead to serious problems as the baby grows up. For example:

• The baby cannot walk properly. He has to walk with a limp.
• Painful calluses can form on the feet.
• I can't wear normal shoes .
• Occurs when walkingSevere pain limits opportunities to run, jump, and play.

That's why we say that even if the baby isn't in pain right now, it's essential to start treatment as soon as possible to prevent these problems from occurring in the future.

What are the causes and risk factors for clubfoot?

Doctors still don't know the exact cause of clubfoot. So there's no way to prevent your baby from developing the condition. However, there are some factors that can increase the risk of developing the condition.

How is clubfoot diagnosed and treated?

Often, the doctor can detect this condition immediately after the baby is born. Also, sometimes the doctor can see this twitching of the baby's legs during an ultrasound scan that you do towards the end of your pregnancy.

The most important thing is treatment. Doctors start treatment as soon as possible, before the baby is born. Since babies don't use their legs until they start walking, the goal is to correct the condition before then. There are two main treatment options.

1. Plastering (Ponseti Method)

This is the most widely and successfully used non-surgical treatment method in the world. The ligaments and muscles of young babies are very flexible and can be easily stretched. The doctor takes advantage of this opportunity.

• Step One: The doctor will very gently turn the baby's foot until it is a little closer to the correct position.
• Step Two: Then, with the leg in the same position, a cast is placed from the hip bone to the toes.
• Step three: After about a week, the plaster is removed, the leg is turned a little more to the right side, and a new plaster is applied.

In this way, the leg is gradually brought into the correct position by changing the cast once a week for several weeks, perhaps several months. This method is called the Ponseti method .

After the leg is completely fixed with a cast, the baby is given a brace that is attached to a special pair of shoes to keep the position in place. The doctor advises wearing the brace for about 23 hours a day at first, and then only at night when sleeping. This will need to be done for several years. This is very important to prevent the leg from reverting to its original position.

2. Surgery

Most of the time, doctors try to cure this without surgery by simply using a plaster cast. This is because after surgery, the stiffness of the foot may decrease slightly as the child grows.

However, in some babies, the tendons and ligaments in their feet are so short that they cannot be repaired by simply stretching them with a plaster cast. That's when surgery is needed.

Often surgeryIt is done when the baby is between 6 months and a year old. Here, the doctor does things like stretching the ligaments that have been cut and brings the foot into the correct position all at once. After the surgery, a plaster is applied to keep the foot in that position. After that, as mentioned above, you have to wear a special brace or shoe for about a year to prevent it from slipping back.