Clubfoot

Clubfoot is a deformity of the whole foot that is present at birth. There are several types of clubfoot that are jointly known as 'talipes', as the deformity is mostly in the talus (a bone in the ankle). The most common of the talipes is what is "talipes equino varus" - it is so common that the word clubfoot is commonly used to refer to this. In talipes equino varus, the child is born with the foot pointing down and twisted inwards at the ankle.

The foot tends to be smaller than normal. Some children with clubfoot have stiffer joints in the foot and the calf muscles are usually smaller.

Clubfoot occurs in about 1 in 1000 births. Both in males and females are equally affected. In half of the cases, both feet are usually affected.

Clubfoot must be treated, it does not correct itself.

More information on clubfoot from ePodiatry and on clubfoot from Podiatry Arena.You can ask a question on clubfoot at the Foot Health Forum. The Ponseti Method for clubfoot is becoming common.

Croydon Total Footcare is not involved in the direct management if clubfoot. This is normally done by paediatric orthopaedic surgeons. What we are involved with at Croydon Total Footcare is the long term consequences of clubfoot. Even after the best treatment as an infant there is often some residual deformity that may cause problems in adult life - we can treat these with a range of methods.