(HealthDay News) — A clubfoot is a birth defect that’s characterized by a foot that is turned abnormally to the side. The affected limb also is smaller and shorter than the healthy leg.
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons offers this list of possible ways to treat clubfoot:
- By stretching the foot toward the correct position and wearing a cast that is changed frequently (the Ponseti method).
- By wearing a brace at night (usually after the Ponseti method).
- By having surgery to correct the affected joints, ligaments and tendons.
- By wearing special shoes and a brace after surgery to prevent the clubfoot from re-forming.