Clubfoot is a birth defect that occurs in approximately 1 out of every 1000 births. The cause of clubfoot remains uncertain. The condition affects boys more often than it does girls. The condition is readily recognizable. If left untreated a child born with clubfoot would have to live with a lifelong deformity that would impair the ability to walk. Luckily, clubfoot can be treated with casting, braces and special shoes. In some cases surgery may be required to correct the condition and prevent lifelong disability. Children born with clubfoot can go on to lead a normal life.
Instructions
1. Examine the child's feet. Clubfoot is usually be easily discerned and it doesn't take long to notice that the foot does not appear normal. Does the foot turn to the side? Look closely at the foot. The clubfoot defect will cause the foot to turn inward rather than straight.
2. Compare the size of the foot. Does one foot appear shorter than the other? Does the affected foot appear smaller than normal size? Can you notice an immediate difference between the two feet? A clubfoot will appear shorter and smaller in size than a normal foot.
3. Observe the direction of the heel. Does the heel point downward? Does the heel appear to turn inward? The clubfoot defect causes the heel of the foot to turn both inward and downward drawing the foot upward.
4. Watch the way the child walks if he/she is walking. The child may appear to walk on the heels and the sides of the feet or foot. Even if the child does not appear to show much difficulty the child's gait will be decidely different than that of a child who does not suffer from such a defect.
5. Observe whether or not the child attempts to walk. Depending upon the severity of the condition that child may not walk or may do so with what appears to be great difficulty. Even so, hope is not lost. The condition can be corrected with proper treatment and/or surgery which will allow a child with the clubfoot defect to walk, run and play sports. Although clubfoot may look painful the condition itself is not painful.
6. Examine the fixed position of the foot. The affected foot will remain in the deformed position and resists all efforts to manually adjust the foot to a normal position. Parents are usually aware immediately after birth that the child's foot is deformed. The defect is quite apparent unless the deformity is relatively slight. Once the physician has confirmed the diagnosis the physician can then outline a treatment plan and provide you with all possible treatment options to correct the clubfoot deformity.
Tags: clubfoot defect, foot turn, that child, with clubfoot, affected foot, appear shorter