Approximately 1 in 1,000 live births result in a foot condition called clubfoot, where a newborn's feet face either to the side or even upwards. This fairly common defect of the foot is not painful, but if you have a newborn with this condition, you can feel an urgency to do something about their condition to help repair it so your child can lead a more normal, physical life. With the assistance of orthopaedic specialists, you can help treat clubfoot in your newborn. Here is what you can expect as your newborn's condition is addressed.
Early treatment is key
The sooner clubfoot is addressed in your newborn, the greater the results can be in reforming their feet to a normal position. When your baby is born, their doctor will likely refer you to an orthopaedic specialist or a doctor who specializes in treating spine, bone, and joint disorders. This specialist will have a goal of correcting your baby's condition as much as possible so they can walk and move normally with very few traces of their original clubfoot condition.
Treatments for your newborn
Luckily, most clubfoot conditions are treated without surgery. Your newborn's orthopaedic specialist will examine the severity of your baby's condition to see which method will work best for them as far as correction. Usually, treatment begins with gentle manipulation of the foot to stretch and train the muscles, tendons, and joints in your baby's feet. To keep your baby's feet in the correct position as they go through treatment, a cast or brace is usually placed on their feet. This cast or brace is changed out every week over the course of a few months as your baby's feet become more pliable.
When surgery is needed
If your newborn's condition is severe or the tendons in their feet are too tight to manipulate easily, then a minor surgery called a tenotomy may be recommended. This surgery is designed to cut and realign tendons or muscles in your child's feet to loosen their position and allow them to reshape into a healthy position. After the procedure, which is done by an orthopaedic surgeon, your newborn will be placed in a cast until the muscles and tendons have healed.
The success rate of treating clubfoot in newborns and babies is high, which can give you a sense of relied in knowing your child can lead a normal, physically active life. If you treat the condition early, your newborn has the greatest chance of success for their fairly common foot condition. For more information, contact Orthopaedic Associates Of Osceola or a similar location.
Share14 April 2016
My name is Katie Langer. For a long time, I was bed ridden and I felt like I had no control over my life. I simply went along with what was instructed by my doctor and I didn't ask questions. It wasn't that my doctor wasn't willing to work with me, but I preferred to simply not think about the illness I was suffering from. I didn't realize that some of the symptoms I was suffering from were side effects of my medication and were not normal. After communicating more with my doctor, I was able to alleviate my symptoms. Since then, I've taken an interest in patient-doctor relationships and how to improve them.
