Pediatric Clubfoot

Comprehensive clubfoot care

If your child is diagnosed with clubfoot, it's natural to have questions and concerns. We want to assure you that clubfoot is treatable. With the right care, most children can run, play and do all the typical activities kids enjoy. Our clubfoot experts help you understand the condition and how to best support your child's development.

Starting clubfoot treatment early

Clubfoot treatment should begin as early as possible, ideally within the first few weeks after birth. Starting treatment while an infant's soft tissues are still flexible helps us achieve the best possible outcomes.

Clubfoot may be diagnosed at birth or before birth during a prenatal ultrasound. If we identify clubfoot during pregnancy, our pediatric orthopedic surgeons can review your ultrasound and meet with your family before your baby is born. We explain what to expect, help you prepare to begin treatment soon after delivery and answer any questions that you may have.

The Ponseti method for clubfoot correction

Our team uses the Ponseti method, a proven and highly effective treatment for clubfoot. When treatment begins early, this gentle approach has excellent success rates. Through stretching and casting, your child's foot gradually moves into the correct position.

The Ponseti method involves:

• Phase 1: Casting. Your baby has a series of casts over an average of five to eight weeks to correct the position of their foot.

• Phase 2: Surgery. We use a minimally invasive procedure to release the Achilles tendon, followed by three weeks of casting to let the tendon heal. About 90% to 95% of children with clubfoot need to have this minor surgery.

• Phase 3: Bracing. Your child wears a brace full time for a few months after surgery, then transitions to nighttime bracing until age 4 or 5 to help prevent recurrence.

As children grow and become more active, wearing the brace can become challenging. Our team strives to make this phase easier for families by offering support and practical strategies to help children adjust.

We also work with orthotists (specialists in fitting medical devices) to determine which braces will work best for your child. Staying on track with bracing is a key part of treatment and is the single most important factor to reduce the risk of clubfoot returning.

The importance of follow-up care

We provide ongoing follow-up care through adolescence and into early adulthood to monitor your child's foot growth. We make sure their foot stays in the correct position and that they aren't experiencing pain or stiffness.

Regular visits help us identify signs of recurrence early so we can address them right away. This could include additional casting, bracing or surgery, if necessary.