Pediatric Clubfoot Treatment
Symptoms, Causes and Treatment of Children's Clubfoot
What Is Clubfoot?
Clubfoot (also called talipes equinovarus) is a common condition where a baby is born with one or both feet turned inward and downward. It isn’t painful for infants, but if left untreated, it can cause long-term walking problems. The good news? With early and expert care, most children go on to walk, run, and play without any limitations.
What Clubfoot Treatment Looks Like
At Pediatric Foot & Ankle, we follow the Ponseti Method — the internationally recognized gold standard for correcting clubfoot without surgery in most cases. This method is safe, effective, and well-tolerated by newborns.
1. Evaluation and Diagnosis
Treatment begins with a hands-on assessment. The doctor gently examines your baby’s foot and leg to determine the severity of the clubfoot and check flexibility. Most cases are diagnosed shortly after birth, and early treatment leads to better outcomes.
2. Gentle Stretching and Casting (Weekly)
Treatment begins with a hands-on assessment. The doctor gently examines your baby’s foot and leg to determine the severity of the clubfoot and check flexibility. Most cases are diagnosed shortly after birth, and early treatment leads to better outcomes.
3. Minor Procedure (Tenotomy)
In many cases, a brief outpatient procedure called a percutaneous Achilles tenotomy is performed to release tightness in the heel cord. This allows the foot to achieve full correction. It’s quick, low-risk, and heals rapidly.
4. Bracing to Maintain Correction
After the final cast is removed, your baby will begin wearing a boots-and-bar brace to hold the foot in its corrected position. This is worn 23 hours a day for the first few months, then gradually reduced to night and nap time for several years. Consistent bracing is crucial to prevent relapse.
5. Follow-Up and Long-Term Support
We schedule regular checkups to monitor your baby’s progress as they grow. Most children treated early with the Ponseti Method go on to walk, run, and play with no limitations.
Your Baby Deserves Expert Care
At Pediatric Foot & Ankle, we specialize in gentle, early clubfoot correction using the gold-standard Ponseti Method.
How We Diagnose Clubfoot
Clubfoot is often first detected during a routine prenatal ultrasound, especially in the third trimester. While ultrasound findings can raise suspicion, a confirmed diagnosis is made after birth through a detailed physical examination.
At Pediatric Foot & Ankle, we look for these key signs:
A foot turned inward and downward
A tight Achilles tendon
Limited range of motion in the ankle and foot
Deep crease on the bottom of the foot
Calf muscle underdevelopment (in some cases)
Clubfoot can occur in one or both feet, and it may be isolated (idiopathic) or linked to a genetic or neuromuscular condition. In most cases, X-rays are not required, as the diagnosis is based on visual and manual assessment. However, imaging may be used if additional conditions are suspected.
Early evaluation — ideally within the first 1–2 weeks of life — allows us to begin treatment while the baby’s soft tissues are most flexible, offering the best chance for full correction.
The Power of Early Treatment
Follow baby Leo’s transformation from untreated clubfoot to confident toddler thanks to early Ponseti method casting and bracing by Dr. Mikkel Jarman at Pediatric Foot & Ankle. See each casting session, weekly progress checks, and Leo’s first jumps in physical therapy.
Common Clubfoot Questions
Your Child’s Feet Are Built for Life. We Help Keep Them That Way.
