Clubfoot is when the foot turns inward and downward. It is a congenital condition, which means it is present at birth.
Alternative Names:
Talipes equinovarus; Talipes
Causes, incidence, and risk factors:
Clubfoot is the most common congenital disorder of the legs. It can range from mild and flexible to severe and rigid.
The cause is not known, but the condition may be pass down through families in some cases. Risk factors include a family history of the disorder and being male. It occurs in about 1 out of 1,000 live births.
Symptoms:
The physical appearance of the foot may vary. One or both feet may be affected.
The foot turns inward and downward at birth, resisting realignment. The calf muscle and the foot may be slightly smaller than normal.
Signs and tests:
The disorder is identified during a physical examination. A foot x-ray may be done.
Review Date: 10/8/2007
Reviewed By: Deirdre O’Reilly, MD, MPH, Neonatologist, Division of Newborn Medicine, Children’s Hospital Boston and Instructor in Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts. Review Provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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Foot and Ankle, Newborn Care
