Club Foot - Symptom, Treatment and cause of Club Foot

DESCRIPTION: Defect in the development of the foot. More common in boys than girls, and one or both feet may be affected.

CAUSE: Congenital.

SYMPTOMS: The foot is turned in so that the sole of the foot faces the other foot, and if the infant was to walk, it would walk on the outside edge of the foot. Often associated with under development of the muscles that move the ankle joint.

INVESTIGATIONS: None necessary. Usually obvious at birth.

TREATMENT: Should begin soon after birth by splinting the foot into the correct position for many months in mild cases, and surgery to correct the deformity in more severe cases and those that do not respond to splinting.

COMPLICATIONS: If treatment is delayed, there may be permanent deformity of the foot, due to a distorted growth of the bones around the ankle.

PROGNOSIS: Good results from treatment.