Dealing With Clubfoot In Children

Clubfoot is a common deformity of the foot, that left untreated can limit a child's movement (mobility). This deformity is characterized by the malalignment of the foot involving the soft and bony structures in the hindfoot, midfoot, and forefoot.

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This presents as an inward bend of the midfoot, forefoot, and hindfoot. Clubfoot can be mild or severe. Research has shown that half of the children with clubfoot have it in both feet. If one's child has a clubfoot, it makes it harder for them to walk normally. The most common cause of this deformity is the bad position of the baby in the womb.

About 3 out of 1,000 children are born with clubfoot with the incidence in Ghana being 1.2 to 1000 live births. With regards to the symptoms of clubfoot, individuals with this deformity usually have the top of their foot twisted downward and inward which increases the arch of the heel. The leg which is affected by the deformity may also be slightly shorter.

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This is usually noticed right after the child is born. It is known that boys are about twice as likely to develop clubfoot than girls. The risk factors include:

• The family history of the child. The baby is more likely to have this deformity if either of their parents had it.

• In some cases, the deformity can be associated with other abnormalities of the skeleton that are present at birth.

• The environment; smoking during pregnancy significantly increases the baby's risk of clubfoot.

• Amniotic fluid during pregnancy. Too little of this amniotic fluid that surrounds the baby in the womb may increase the risk of clubfoot.

Children with clubfoot begin to experience problems when they start to stand and walk. They tend to have difficulty in movements since the affected foot is less flexible. When this is left untreated, it causes serious problems such as arthritis, poor self-image, and problems stemming from walking adjustments.

It's very important for pregnant mothers to limit their baby's risk of this birth defect. This can be done by not smoking or spending time in smoky environments, not drinking alcohol, and avoiding drugs that are not approved by a doctor.

Physical therapists play important roles in the management of this deformity. The treatment of clubfoot has evolved over time and it can be divided into two main approaches: conservative and surgical approaches. The goal of this treatment is to provide long-term correction of the deformity resulting in the foot. Some treatment methods done to correct this deformity are:

• Foot stretching exercises; to stretch the muscles on the front of the ankle, physiotherapists gently point the baby's toes downward as far as possible.

• Plaster casts are also administered to correct the inward curvature of the leg.

• Ankle braces are also recommended to be worn day and night to at least bring the feel that the child is walking.

The safety and well-being of the child are important; hence necessary precautions should be heeded for maximum care.