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Babies can be born with many deformities, some more serious than others and some more easily treated than others.
"Club Foot", ( where the front half of the foot turns in & down & is detected at
birth ), is a deformity of the foot, caused by mis- alignment of the bones in the foot, can usually be rectified with appropriate treatment, after which the child can enjoy a normal development.
Although it is not a common deformity, it is more prevalent in boys than girls and may affect only one foot, or sometimes, both.
An orthopaedic specialist can recommend either plaster casts and splints to reverse the condition, or in more severe cases, surgery is an option.
Usually the plaster casting treatment is started from day one, ( above the knee's to the base of the toes ), with the plaster being changed every week to start off with, then every two weeks. It is very important to keep the plaster casting dry at all times....gladwrap can be used to cover plaster while bathing. To prevent plaster sores.....cotton wool or skin cream can be used around the top of the plaster. Where splints are used, the foot is lowered into the splint and attached to a bar which can be gradually adjusted as the foot starts to straighten. In less severe cases, a light weight splint, held on by velcro may be all that is required.
In cases where this treatment is not successful, then surgery at about 6 months has a very high success rate. This involves a 1 -2 day in hospital followed by plaster and splint treatment.
Most children who are treated early for this condition have no long term efforts,although it is possible to have a relapse in later life. However, most suffers enjoy a full recovery and can live a quite normal life. Indeed, some successful athletes were born with club foot.
It is reccommended that follow up treatment is sought as they develop, but it is likely that the most serious long term effort is that they have one foot larger than the other.
My daughter was treated for club foot in one foot, from birth till she was 2 year old.....and went on to enjoy an active life & now is a police officer.
Thanks for taking the time to read this.
Regards Janice
(November 2007) (
