Information on ClubFeet in Black and White
Medical Information on Club Feet
On this PagePonseti method
NEW: Watch the video on the Ponseti MethodThe Ponseti method is a non surgical procedure that is now very common.
The Ponseti Method was discovered by Doctor Ignocio Ponseti is the 1940's.
The way the Ponseti Method works is by gradually manipulating the foot to the right position over a couple of weeks, and maintaining the correction by wearing a special brace, which is a pair of shoes connected by a metal rod.
The Ponseti Method treatment normally starts when the baby is just a couple of days old. The Doctor manipulates the foot into a better position and is help there by a plaster cast, which is removed within 1 week. After the plaster is removed, further manipulation is applied, then another plaster cast. This procedure continues for up to 8 weeks.
You can see a difference in the baby's feet, by looking at the plaster each week.
Using the Ponseti Method, the tendons in the feet become stretched allowing for more flexibility.
After the series of plaster casts, a simple procedure called a "Tanotamy"
The "Tanotamy" procedure involves snipping a tendon at the back of the heel, this is a very basic procedure, that only takes minutes to perform. After the procedure, most of the time, you can not tell that this was preformed. There is normally no scaring and no problems after.
The "Tanotamy" Procedure allows the foot to be more flexible.
Click here for more information on the Ponseti Method, including videos.
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| A baby in plaster during the Ponseti Method to correct Club Feet |
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is used to sometimes correct Club Feet / Club Foot or just to help.When a baby is born with Club Feet, a physiotherapist will start manipulating the foot, to try and move the feet into the correct position, this is a very successful procedure, but does not always work.
Physiotherapists also help after operations, especially the operation External Fixators, because you can't walk for the first few months after the operation, and the feet have changed position, you need to learn to walk again.
Operations
External Fixators
External Fixators is an operation where the surgeon places pins through the leg, connected to a frame.The External Fixators was pioneered in the UK by a doctor in Chertsey Hospital, Surry to help cure Club Feet and other orthopaedic problems.
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Images of the External Fixators |
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External Fixators help Club Feet by the surgeon inserting some screws through the legs, attached to an External Frame.
The External Fixators stay on the feet and legs for about 5 months. After the External Fixators come off, plaster is applied for about 2-3 months.
With the External Fixators on the legs, you turn a nut with a spanner 1 quarter of a turn, 4 times a day, over the period that the External Fixators are on the legs.
By doing this, the bone moves into a better position, making it easier to walk.
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| Click on image to Enlarge |
Triple Fusion
The Triple Fusion operation is a very common operation.The operation sounds worse than it is. The surgeon replaces the bones in your feet / foot and fuses then bones together using pins. This operation corrects the shape of Club Feet / Club Foot.
Sometimes the surgeon may have to take some bone, normally from your hip. The only draw back of this operation is that it gives the foot less movement, but it should ease any pain.
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Pain Killers
Here is some information on Pain Killer.NOTE: There are many types of painkillers, here is just a few examples, don't jump from one pain killer on the list, to another. Always ask your doctor before changing tablets.
www.clubfeet.net takes no responsibility in what you do with this information.
| Commercial Name | Main Use | Main Ingredient |
|---|---|---|
| Paracetamol | Pain, fever | Paracetamol |
| Ibuprofen | Pain, inflammation | Ibuprofen |
| Nurofen | Pain, fever, inflammation | Ibuprofen lysine |
| Co-codamol | Severe pain | Paracetamol, codeine phosphate (500/30) |
| Tramacet | Moderate to severe pain | Tramadol hydrochloride, paracetamol |
| Tramadol | Moderate to severe pain | Tramadol hydrochloride |
| Morphine sulphate tablets | Severe pain | Morphine sulphate |
| If you would like to recommend any tables, please email me at | ||
Comments About Medical information ClubFeet
| Comment added by : pam on the 16 Sep 2007 at 17:31pm |
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| I am 49 & was born with a club foot. I had surgeries at ford hospital in detriot mich at the age of 1 thru 3. I have severe pain every day, what do doctors do for adults with this problem. |
| Comment added by : heather on the 16 Sep 2007 at 02:29am |
| hi im 28 years old and was born with club feet. i was wondering if there was a treatment or something that will help with the pain i have everyday it gets so bad it carries to my knees please help me!!!!!! thank you very much. |
| Comment added by : onebdmthr on the 05 Aug 2007 at 01:09am |
| I was born with club feet, and had several surgeries starting at the age of 1 Thanks to the Crippled Childrens Hospital in Truth or Consequences New Mexico, I was able to finally walk. Today I am 53 years old and have noticed that i am starting to experience severe pain on my left left to what seems to be Tendonitis and a fallen arch I often am in pain and just live this way. |
| Comment added by : monte goddard on the 04 Aug 2007 at 07:45am |
| 56 yrs old and having a lot of pain as i get older. where can i find a dr that can repair this foot? |
| Comment added by : Tania on the 19 Jul 2007 at 13:02pm |
| I am 30 year old lady and have clubfeet.Have had many surgeries.my left foot is hammertoe and have cysts and bones growing on my heel.Went to doctor today he says that nothing can be done.Maybe just try making a brace for me. I was wondering if someone will let me know other solutions or doctors from anywhere. Thank you |
| Comment added by : Anna on the 26 Jun 2007 at 10:05am |
| My 15 mo. old grandson was born with severe bilateral club feet and was treated with the "French method" of physical therapy and plastic braces at the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital in Dallas, TX. He had surgery on one foot to lengthen the achilles tendon at 11 mos. He is walking well and seems to have no lasting ill affects. He started treatment at four days, it was daily for about 3 months and gradually tapered off. My daughter has just found out that her second son, due in November, has one club foot. Neither side of the family has had any congential problems. All we can say is, thank goodness for Texas Scottish Rite Hospital! |
| Comment added by : Eszter Szegedi on the 22 Jun 2007 at 07:49am |
| I found this site really good, and studied mucha bout my illnes. I have clubfeet and the doctors tried the ponseti method but that didnt help enough, so after that i had four surgery the fist when i was just 8 months old. To the worrrying parents i can say just that the only the only problem will be the less tolerance from others but their children will have a normal , and beautiful life:) My only problem is that i start the step from my angle and my legs not too felxible. But i can do everything and achieve my dreams:) |
| Comment added by : Mary Moyer on the 20 Jun 2007 at 19:45pm |
| i had clubbed feet at birth had various surgerys where casts were administered. An ex-ray showed an equinovarus deformity bilaterally more extensive on the right than on the left. My right ankle swells and my right knee to where I have difficulty walking. What can I do? |
| Comment added by : Tanya on the 14 Jun 2007 at 16:47pm |
| hi, my son was born with minor club foot. we followed the Ponseti method, and it worked, though it took time. His heel is fine and almost at correct position. However, presently his forefoot is a bit twisted inwards whereas the entire foot is directed outwards, as a result of casting treatment.i dont know what should we do further treatment, i want to avoid surgery cuz of its after effect in adult age. please help! |
| Comment added by : daff jones on the 17 May 2007 at 09:57am |
| Hi im 51, born with severe club feet, had various surgeries, plaster casts until 7 years old, surgical boots until 21 yrs old, 3 triple fusions at ages 40+ and now at 50 opted for amputation on right leg, brilliant, waiting for left leg to be done now, no regrets should have done amputation years ago |
| Comment added by : Christine Hinkle on the 16 May 2007 at 18:39pm |
| I am 34 and was born with bilateral club feet and experience pain everyday.Someone asked what kind of shoe is copmfortable, i have found that Dr.Martens ARE THE BEST. I cannot say enough about them, they are a little pricy, but if you have club feet,comfort holds no price. I also have been teased, and have recently been fed up with it, and considering more surgery. Good luck to everyone. Dr. Martens.TRY EM |
| Comment added by : kelly stein on the 25 Apr 2007 at 21:10pm |
| I have a son that had surgery on his feet as an infant 15 years ago. He experiences pain in his ankles and I am wondering if there is anything further that can be done for him. It is frustrating to not be able to participate in sports requiring running due to pain. |
| Comment added by : Pauline on the 17 Apr 2007 at 17:21pm |
| My daughter is now 13 years old and was born with talipes. She has a twin brother who does not have the condition. She has talipes of her right foot and it was diagnosed as moderate to severe when she was born. She had two operations at 3 and 23 months on her Achilles tendon . . had to wear the little shoes attached to the metal bar which she managed to crawl with. She had many plasters over many years and still is happy to wear a night plaster. As parents we religiously massaged her foot for her. . . All this is to let you know that there is hope for your child. Grace has 2 shoe sizes difference and has a much smaller calf muscle on her right leg. But none of this has held her back. She achieves well in sport. She belongs to a swimming club and has swum county times and also is in the school basketball team. She plays football,hockey and loves to participate in all the summer athletic activities. She is very competitive and I could not ask anymore of her.I was never led to believe when she was a baby that I could expect this outcome for her. She is truly amazing !! |
| Comment added by : Trina on the 10 Apr 2007 at 02:13am |
| My daughter is 2 yeas old and was born with tight ham strings has had physical therapy but, didnt work looks alot like club foot but has not been diaagnosed with club foot her foot turns in alot and she falls alot does anyone know if they think this could be club foot. |
| Comment added by : Lorin on the 09 Apr 2007 at 17:35pm |
| Many people believe that it is the casts that are making your lower legs skinnier when you have clubbed feet. I believed this as well until I was recently at the doctors office and brought it up. it turns out that it is actually just another part of the condition. |
| Comment added by : Colin Whyatt on the 08 Apr 2007 at 13:27pm |
| My son was born with club feet and was treated with casting from birth until approximately age 1 when he started to walk. At age 6 he had surgery on both feet. Total recovery took almost a full year. He is now 9 yrs old and plays hockey 3 to 4 times a week, bikes, swims, plays baseball, roller blades and more. His hockey club won the Atom Championship this year. I recommend lots of stretching and exercise! Hard work will keep them from the doctors office. |
| Comment added by : Denise Persichetti on the 22 Mar 2007 at 14:58pm |
| My son is 2. He was born with severe bilateral club feet. We did the ponseti method, 2 surgeries, and braces. He is about to have his 3rd surgery, a tendon transfer. Will his feet look normal after this procedure? |
| Comment added by : lindsay on the 17 Mar 2007 at 19:33pm |
| my name is lindsay, i am 22 years old and was born with clubbed feet, missing my big toe, and a leg length discprency. I have had approx. 10 surgeries, 2 of which were external fixators. I had more work done at the hosp. for sick children in toronto canada. done by a Dr. armsstrong (who as far as i know is in utah shriners hosp. and a few done at erie pa. shirners hosp. |
| Comment added by : CHARANN DEAGLE on the 26 Feb 2007 at 14:10pm |
| My 5 yr old daughter was also born with bilateral club feet. We went through the series of casting and ponseti method her right foot responded well the left is still a work in progress. After two heel cord operatations, more casts and finally, 6 mo ago a tendon transfer her foot is like new. The only after affect is a slight limp which I am confident with som therapy and muscle work will sort itself out. We used Dr John A Fox from CHKD in Virginia. |
| Comment added by : andrew canning on the 16 Feb 2007 at 00:58am |
| My daughter is 6 yrs old and has club feet. She has been treated with the Ponsetti method with limited success. We sought a second opinion and the consultant recommends the Turco method of corrective surgery. My limited understanding is that her socket connecting the leg with the foot is not round but oval and therefore this needs to be corrected. Does anyone have experience of this type of operation, its success and its drawbacks. Andrew |
| Comment added by : ELIZABETH on the 07 Feb 2007 at 15:48pm |
| I USED DR.ROBERT CAMPBELL IN SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS AND HE PERFORMED 2 OF MY DAUGHTERS SURGERIES. NOW I AM GOING TO USED DR. KENT A REINKER. HE HAS 6 MORE YEARS EXPERIENCE THAT THE FIRST DOCTOR. HE EXPLAINS TO ME THE PROCEDURE AND SEEMS VERY CONFIDENT INHIS WORK. HERE IS A WEB SITE UTmedicineSA.com in case someone needs assistant. I WILL POST ON HOW MY DAUGTERS 3 OPERATION GOES. |
| Comment added by : rosanna marlin on the 25 Dec 2006 at 02:00am |
| hello my name is rosanna iam 21 with 2 childern i had a baby 3 days ago and she has club feet does anyone out there have any advise on what i could do and how i can take of her right with out a major surgeryand how i can make my 2 year old to understand please give me all the advise that anyone knows thankyou |
| Comment added by : Howard Muir on the 09 Dec 2006 at 19:17pm |
| im 31 years old and have club feet and suffer from a lot of pain although im a strong natured person from always being teased on about how one walks having club feet. my question what is the best possible solution in pain killers and operations. at the moment i can only wear good quality running shoes what other solutions do you have for me |
| Comment added by : Robert McLaughlan on the 05 Dec 2006 at 04:59am |
| I don’t know if I can help adding my comment but it worth the try I have just had a triple fusion and it has not been easy as I was not born with a club foot but I had an accident when I was 7 years old an the doctor did not due the operation write but I had no idea that he was to blame as the years went bye I started to have a lot of pain in my foot I thought that’s the way it must be when to a doctor and he told me there was not much he can do for me so for 30years I have had pain in my back and foot and unable to walk problem until I moved to Sweden when a doctor looked at my foot and he recommended a doctor to me we met and he said it would be possible to do a triple fusion but it may not turn out good well in April 2006 I had it and I have just recently had two pins out of the three took out he has explained to me that it has been the most difficult operation he has done, if is 1% better it has been worth it well time will only tell but I thing he has been a excellent doctor and he has an excellent reputation. |
| Comment added by : Sue on the 09 Nov 2006 at 11:30am |
| I have a 27 year old son that was born with severe club feet which were corrected by casts, braces and several surgeries. He is now having pain in both legs and feet. Does anyone know of any doctors that specialize in adults born with club feet? We are having a very hard time finding someone to talk to. He is willing to travel anywhere to get some help. Thank you. |
| Comment added by : mark abrams on the 18 Sep 2006 at 23:36pm |
| hi im 17 and i have club feet and ive had many surgeries (5 that i can think of) and still not corrected, my heels dont hit the ground i was just wondering if anyone has any ideas of an operation that would help contact me for more info and/or suggestions please ******** ADMIN COMMENT: Please dont add emails, as you will received loads of spam mails a day To reply, add your comment, or email me, |
| Comment added by : Martina on the 01 Sep 2006 at 18:14pm |
| My son age 12 had surgery around 12 months I don't think they used any of these methods they cut the muscle at an angle and reattached at the points. His feet look normal if you don't get close but he has alot of pain all the time especially with sports and activity. Is there help for him. He has no muscle growth in the bottom half of his calves? thanks |
| Comment added by : Jamie (site Admin) on the 29 Aug 2006 at 02:11am |
| Tammy: Adults can have operations to correct ClubFeet /Foot If your fiance is in pain then I would recommend speaking to your local doctor, or trying some local support / meeting groups |
| Comment added by : Tammy on the 28 Aug 2006 at 16:14pm |
| My fiance' was born with a clubbed foot. It was supposedly corrected with what appears to be the triple fusion method. (That's what it looks like). Unfortunately the doctors left his cast on too long and the muscle in his shin/tibia atrophied! His one foot is shorter than the other and he cannot move that foot very well. And now he has severe hammer toes on that foot as well. Does anyone recommend surgery for an adult to correct a surgery done as a child? Also if that is possible, can you recommend some doctors? Please let me know! Thank you! |
| Comment added by : Jamie (Site Admin) on the 13 Aug 2006 at 16:11pm |
| Thank you for spotting the spelling error. If anyone else finds one, please let me know, and I will get the error corrected |
| Comment added by : Cyclelicious on the 13 Aug 2006 at 02:46am |
| This looks like a very good resource, Jamie. It's spelled "tenotomy" :-) My daughter was born with talipes and was treated with Ponseti method. She's seven years old now and her feet are completely flexible and pain free. |
| Comment added by : Sharon Toi on the 11 Aug 2006 at 22:09pm |
| Ponsetti works!! My 18 month old granddaughter has totally corrected feet following this method being applied in NZ. |
| Comment added by : Jamie (Site Admin) on the 22 Jul 2006 at 04:54am |
| RE: Cincinnati Method: I will look into this method. Thank you |
| Comment added by : Katya on the 20 Jul 2006 at 23:28pm |
| What about the Cincinnati method? (Involving cutting into the ankle and setting the joint) That's how mine was corrected. |
| Comment added by : Sherika on the 14 Jun 2006 at 01:23am |
| the doctors said my son had club foot because of the appearance of the foot but come to find out he was born without his tibia born and 3 of his toes on the particular foot are fused together and so the doctors say that my best out is to have a one time amputation |
| Comment added by : selamamawit on the 02 Jun 2006 at 01:42am |
| How is it possible to get oversee clubfeet surgons or a kind of medical campain. This is from ethiopia Thank you for all |
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