Clubfoot

It can be scary as a parent if you find out that your child will be born with an abnormality such as clubfoot. Understanding the nature of this congenital abnormality and available treatment options are the first steps in easing fears and setting up an appropriate plan.

This condition gets it name by the way the feet look at birth. Tendons that connect muscles to the bone of the foot are shortened, causing the feet to bend at a sharp angle resembling the head of a golf club. It is one of the most common birth defects and while the exact cause is unknown, there are many successful treatment options available.

If your child has clubfoot, the goal will be to start treatment right away to make the feet functional by the time he or she starts to walk. Dr. Bowman, foot specialist in Houston, TX will be able to determine the best treatment plan depending on the severity of your child’s condition. Serial casting may be used to gently move the bones of the feet into proper alignment with the use of several casts over time. This process can take up to four months and once the casts are off, special shoes or braces are needed to keep the bones straightened.

Sometimes casting and bracing is not enough leaving surgery as the only option to get feet fully functional again. Whether it is through casting or surgery, most babies born with clubfoot who are treated early with appropriate treatment grow up to wear normal shoes and are able to enjoy the same activities as their friends.

If you have any questions or concerns about clubfoot or have a child that needs treatment, please call Dr. Bowman at Houston Foot Specialists (713) 467-8886 and make an appointment today.

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