Club foot is the condition of foot deformity of the newborn child in which either or both the feet will be twisted or bent towards the toes inward. The word “club-foot” refers to the shape of head of golf club and that is how the shape of newborn child looks like. Clubfoot is invariably genetic defect inherited by birth. The foot is twisted from normal position to a sharp angle with respect to the ankle. This disorder is an isolated problem for the child and hence the child will be otherwise healthy in all aspects.
Club foot can develop in one leg or both the feet for the child. The problem occurs when the child reaches the developmental stage of walking. Hence it is very much essential for the parents to correct the club-foot when the baby begins to walk. Depending on the condition of inclination the club foot will be corrected by surgical method or by stretching therapy.
Symptoms :
The affected foot will look twisted or bent inward making an angle with the ankle. The foot would be turned downward making an arch thus making it difficult for the child to walk. In some children, the foot will be very much twisted that it looks as though the foot is turned upside down. Due to this developmental abnormality, the calf muscles of the child will be poorly developed. There will be a strange abnormality between both the feet and the affected foot will look much shorter than the healthy foot.
Some Of The Marked Features Of Club Foot Are :-
- Toes will be pointing downward
- The affected foot will rest on the outer border in contrast with normal foot
- The foot will be bent inward and hence the front portion of the foot will look awkward
- It gives abnormal shape to the foot
- The heel cord or Achilles tendon will become stiffened
- The foot becomes tight and rigid hence difficult to move or walk
Causes :