Clubfoot

Having anything wrong with your child, big or small, can be scary and if your child has clubfoot you may be full of fear of what this might mean. Dr. Tina Boucher, foot specialist in Meriden, CT treats children of all ages. There are many foot problems that can affect children and clubfoot is a very common condition that is not life-threatening and often responds very well to effective treatment methods.

How did my child’s clubfoot happen?
Clubfoot is a common birth defect in which the foot is abnormally twisted at a sharp angle near the ankle. There is no known cause for this condition other than the foot turns during the development in the womb. There are some conditions such as spina bifida that can cause clubfoot as well.

Ultrasounds can show clubfoot in the womb and it can be diagnosed immediately at birth. X-rays are often taken to fully assess the severity of the defect. When it is detected at birth, the good news is that it is not painful for your child and it is correctable.

For patients with clubfoot, Dr. Boucher will treat with a goal to restore function to the foot or feet by the time the patient is ready to walk. Depending on the nature of the clubfoot condition, she may implement serial casting to move the bones into alignment, special shoes and braces. Surgery is required at times if tendons, ligaments and joints need to be adjusting but more conservative methods are often effective. They require patience as treatment may take several months and symptoms can last until the age of seven. With the expert care of Dr. Boucher, your child will be in great hands and will be given tailored care specific to his or her needs.

If you have any questions about clubfoot or concerns about the care your child is receiving, please contact our podiatric office today. Call Dr. Boucher at (203) 238-3668 or visit www.centralctfootcare.com.