Club Foot

Club foot is one of the more common birth defects, occurring in 1 of every 1,000 live births. Children born with a club foot (or both feet affected) sometimes also suffer from complications or birth defects such as congenital heart defects and spina bifida.

The incidence of club foot also varies by gender (boys are twice as likely as girls to have a club foot), family history (a club foot in another member of the family increases the likelihood in another pregnancy), and race (for example, the incidence of club foot among South Pacific natives is nearly seven per 1,000 live births).

What Is Club Foot?

The term "club foot" actually describes a range of foot abnormalities. A club foot is twisted out of normal shape and/or position. The use of "club" is based on the way the club foot is often sitting at a sharp angle to the baby's ankle, similar to a golf club's head. This congenital birth defect can be mild or severe, and can affect one or both feet.

In the majority of cases of club foot, the top of the foot is twisted downward and inward. Sometimes it's twisted so far that the foot actually looks upside-down. The foot may make the leg up to a half-inch shorter, and the leg's calf muscle is usually under-developed, too. A club foot is usually noticeably smaller than the other, normal foot.

Long-Term Complications of Club Foot

If a child's club foot is not treated early, there are several serious complications that are likely to occur. Arthritis is a common complication. An untreated club foot may not allow the child to walk on the sole of the foot; he or she might have to walk on the balls of the feet or on the outside edge of the feet.

Treatment and Diagnosis

It's relatively easy to treat a club foot. The treatment is best achieved as soon as possible after birth. Treatment options for club foot include:

• stretching the club foot toward the correct position and putting it into a cast
• stretching the club foot and taping it into position
• exercises
• night splints
• special shoes
• surgery (sometimes to lengthen short tendons)
• braces

These days, treatment for a club foot is usually completely successful.

These days, treatment for a club foot is usually completely successful.

The use of any prescription medication during pregnancy should be discussed with a doctor. For example, phenytoin (brand name, Dilantin®) is an anticonvulsant medication that has been linked to a possible increase in the risk of congenital birth defects such as club foot when taken during pregnancy.

Was Your Child Born with Club Foot?

If your baby is born with club foot, you might be eligible to pursue compensation by filing a birth defect lawsuit. To find out if you and your baby qualify, contact our birth defect lawyers today.