A clubfoot, or talipes equinovarus^[1] (TEV), is a birth defect. The foot is twisted in (inverted) and down. Without treatment, persons afflicted often appear to walk on their ankles, or on the sides of their feet. It is a common birth defect, occurring in about one in every 1,000 live births. Approximately 50% of cases of clubfeet are bilateral. In most cases it is an isolated dysmelia. Incidence in males is higher than in females.

Causes

There are different causes for clubfoot:

• Mainly caused by Edward's syndrome, a genetic defect with three copies of chromosome 18
• genetic causes with incidence rates increasing significantly when multiple direct family members have the condition
• external influences such as intrauterine compression from oligohydramnios or from amniotic band syndrome.
• may be associated with other birth defects such as spina bifida cystica
• use of MDMA (Ecstasy) while pregnant has been linked with this congenital abnormality^[2]

Treatments

Clubfoot is treated with manipulation by a trained provider such as an orthopedic surgeon, podiatrist, nurse or physiotherapist. In North America, manipulation is followed by serial casting - most common method being the Ponseti Method. Foot manipulations usually begin within one or two weeks of birth. Even with successful treatment, the affected foot (if unilateral) may be smaller than the other foot and that calf is frequently noticeably smaller than the normal side.

Extensive surgery of the soft tissue or bone is not usually necessary to treat clubfoot, however there are two minimal surgeries that may be required: 1. Tenotomy (needed in 80% of cases) is a release (clipping) of the Achilles tendon - minor surgery- local anesthesia and 2. Anterior Tibial Tendon Transfer (needed in 20% of cases) - where the tendon is moved from the toe to the third finger in order to release the inward traction on the foot. Of course, each case is different but the main idea is that extensive surgery is not needed to treat clubfoot. Extensive surgery may lead to scar tissue developing inside the child's foot. The scaring may result in functional, growth and aesthetic problems in the child's foot because the scaring tissue will interfere with the normal development of the foot. A child who has extensive surgery may require on average 2 additional surgeries to correct the issues presented above. All these surgeries and the associated pain and suffering are nearly always unnecessary.

In stretching and casting therapy the doctor changes the cast multiple times over a few weeks, gradually stretching tendons until the foot is in the correct position of external rotation. The heel cord is released (percutaneous tenotomy) and another cast is put on, which is removed after three weeks. To avoid relapse a corrective brace is worn for a gradually reducing time until it is only at night up to four years of age.

Ponseti Method

The clubfoot treatment method that is becoming the standard in US and worldwide is known as the Ponseti Method ^[3]. Foot manipulations differ subtly from the Kite casting method which prevailed during the late 20th century. Although described by Dr. Ignacio Ponseti in the 1950s, it did not reach a wider audience until it was re-popularized by Dr. John Herzenberg in 2000 and by parents of children with clubfeet using the Internet ^[4]. The Ponseti method, if correctly done, is successful in >95% of cases ^[5] in correcting clubfeet using non- or minimal-surgical techniques. Typical clubfoot cases usually require 5 casts over 4 weeks. Atypical clubfeet and complex clubfeet may require a larger number of casts. Approximately 80% of infants require an Achilles tenotomy (microscopic incision in the tendon requiring only local anesthetic and no stitches) performed in a clinic toward the end of the serial casting.

After correction has been achieved, maintenance of correction may require the full time (23 hours per day) use of a splint - also known as a foot abduction brace (FAB) for several weeks after treatment. Part time use of a brace (generally at night, usually 12 hours per day) is frequently prescribed for up to 4 years. Approximately 20% of infants successfully treated with the Ponseti casting method may require a surgical tendon transfer after two years of age. While this requires a general anesthetic, it is a relatively minor surgery that corrects a persistent muscle imbalance while avoiding disturbance to the joints of the foot.

The developer of the Ponseti Method, Dr Ignacio Ponseti, at 93 years of age is still treating children with clubfeet (including complex/atipical clubfeet and failed treatment clubfeet) at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics . He is assisted by Dr Jose Morcuende, president of the Ponseti International Association.

The long-term outlook ^[6] for children who experienced the Ponseti Method treatment is comparable to that of non-affected children.

Watch a Video on the Ponseti Method

Famous people

Many notable people have been born with club foot, including the Roman emperor Claudius, the poet Lord Byron, statesman Prince Talleyrand, Civil War politician Thaddeus Stevens, the comedian Damon Wayans, actors Gary Burghoff and Dudley Moore, footballer Steven Gerrard and film director David Lynch.

Kristi Yamaguchi was reportedly born with a club foot, and went on to win figure skating gold in 1992. Soccer star Mia Hamm was born with the condition. Baseball pitcher Larry Sherry was born with club feet, as was pitcher Jim Mecir, and both enjoyed long and successful careers. Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Freddy Sanchez cites his ability to overcome the defect as a reason for his success ^[7].

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman also overcame the condition en route to a Pro Football Hall of Fame career.

The prominent Nazi Josef Goebbels was born with a right club foot (or possibly later incurred a right leg malformation caused by osteomyelitis)^[8], a fact hidden from the German public by censorship. Because of this malformation, Goebbels needed to wear a leg brace. That, plus his short stature, led to his rejection for military service in World War I.

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