Club Feet Observations and Possible Solutions Handicap International Henk Willemsen

What is normal? Many children are born with their feet somewhat bent or crooked. If the Front part of the foot is turned inward, it will often straighten before she is 2 years old.

What is normal? Babies often walk on the inside of their feet with the legs wide apart. They also have baby fat on the bottom. The feet look very flat. Baby's legs are often bent outward (bow legs). After 18 months this should slowly disappear. If a flat foot causes no pain, obvious weakness or loss of movement, do not consider it a to big problem. Children who are late starting to walk often have weak arches with flat feet until their feet get stronger. Best treatment; go barefoot, picking up things with the toes, walking on tiptoe, skipping rope.

What is normal? Knocked knees often develops around age 2, legs straighten around 5 or 6.

Club Feet Sometimes runs in the family Mostly in boys 60 % can be corrected without surgery, in 6 – 8 weeks using casts Correction should start as early as possible Sometimes it’s a complication with spina bifida; check if the child feels his feet. Sometimes a clubfeet slowly develops in cp, polio, or spinal cord. Correction should start as possible because at birth the children's bones are still soft. As the child gets older, the bones get harder and become less flexible. Usually good correction, without surgery is only possible in the first year of life. If the deformity is not severe, it can sometimes be corrected with casts even if the child is already between 2 – 5. If the foot shows no improvement after 4 weeks of casting, or if the improvement stops in spite of continued casting, surgery is probably needed. Past the age of 2 years, often surgery is needed. Clubfeet in girls are less common but likely more difficult to correct than with boys. Correction is more difficult if both feet are clubbed.

Clubfeet If the foot easily straightens, it probably does not have a bone deformity and may need exercise and a brace If you cannot put the foot in a normal position, it will need to straightened with casts or operation

After the operation the parents should: Take care that it keeps straight, check this regularly Use a brace at least until the child is walking Daily stretching exercises, especially if the foot is clubbing again

If is not possible to have surgery to correct the feet of an adult with their feet turned in Adapted shoes or mobility aids can help make walking easier