One of the serious birth defects or acquired defects is clubfoot in a child. Treatment is mandatory. Otherwise, the opportunity to walk independently and smoothly is lost, which subsequently can lead to arthritis and inevitable surgical intervention. Thanks to advances in medical science, certain procedures exist for patients suffering from this disorder. With proper treatment of clubfoot, most patients will be able to restore their feet by 100%, walk normally and even do athletics.
Lack of discomfort at the initial stage
Congenital musculoskeletal deformities affect about 200,000 children each year. The cause of this defect is still unknown. Experts believe that this disorder excludes the possibility of occurrence due to improper position of the fetus inside the uterus. However, this ailment is associated with skeletal abnormalities, including spina bifida. What if there is a problem such as clubfoot in a child? To treat or will pass? It is important to keep in mind that this disease does not cause pain or discomfort in the baby at the initial stage, he continues to develop normally until he begins to walk.
Clubfoot in children: causes, symptoms and treatment
Clubfoot occurs when the feet and ankles are constantly twisted. In this case, the ligaments and tendons hold the muscles on the bone too tightly. This causes the ankles to move and be at rest in an abnormal position. Where does clubfoot come from in children? The causes (treatment is necessary in any case) of occurrence are unclear. A certain risk exists in the presence of the following factors:
- Male. It was noted that the disease affects more often boys than girls.
- Smoking a woman during pregnancy (both active and passive).
- Heredity. The probability of giving birth to a child with a pathology increases if the family has already had such cases.
- Spinal cord injuries. Diseases associated with the spine can also cause clubfoot.
Common symptoms
The most common signs of this disease are as follows:
- The feet are partially or fully inverted.
- In cases where only one leg is deformed, it is usually shorter than the other.
- The calf muscles in the leg are not fully developed.
- In some extreme cases, the foot is completely turned upside down.
The condition is determined by doctors at birth or even before it. The diagnosis is made before or during childbirth.
It's hard not to notice
If clubfoot is found in a child, is treatment necessary? Definitely yes. This disorder can be easily identified immediately at birth.
If clubfoot was diagnosed in a child, treatment will be prescribed depending on the degree of limb damage. In the case of a slight curvature by the orthopedic surgeon, measures are taken to gradually change the shape of the foot (massage, plastering, the use of special shoes and correction equipment). More complicated cases, as a rule, require surgical intervention.
Treatment Options: Ponseti Method
If clubfoot in children has been identified, treatment features will depend on the severity of the disease. There are a number of treatment options available after diagnosis. It is important to take action as early as possible to take advantage of the flexibility of children's joints and bones. This will allow specialists to more successfully carry out the necessary manipulations. One of the highly effective methods of treating clubfoot today is the Ponseti method.
To change the irregular shape of the foot, special plaster dressings are applied weekly from the toes to the groin. Such procedures can be performed as long as necessary to achieve a normal bone position. Within six to eight weeks, clubfoot can be corrected without surgery. This method is most successful for those who were treated during the first two weeks of life, and for patients with slight curvature.
The importance of early detection
As mentioned above, the detection of this disease at birth is not difficult, doctors can notice it simply by looking at the baby’s legs. Depending on the severity of the disease, a decision is made on the procedure for further action, including an X-ray examination. If clubfoot was diagnosed in a child, treatment should begin at an early stage. Otherwise, this can lead to functional disability, which will probably require late-stage surgical intervention. The great advantage of early treatment is that in most cases it is possible to achieve remarkable results, up to the complete disappearance of signs of clubfoot.
Surgical intervention
What other treatment methods exist, and how to fix clubfoot in a child with a severe degree of curvature? Only a surgeon can help here. During the operation, the Achilles tendon lengthens near the heel and tissue is released in another place of the foot. If necessary, the tendon itself can also be transferred.
Using specially made incisions, the stiffness of the ligaments and tendons is weakened, and the surgeon can already move the leg to a normal position. The bones and joints of older children and adults are often less flexible than in newborns, so several operations may be required to correct clubfoot. Sometimes metal plates or screws are used to hold the foot in the correct position. The position is fixed, and then the surgeon puts plaster on the whole leg. The operation is performed under general anesthesia. Medication can help cope with pain after surgery.
Physiotherapy: restoration of muscle tone
Physiotherapy plays a crucial role in the success of getting rid of such an unpleasant phenomenon as clubfoot in children. Treatment, exercises after surgery are also very important because they help restore flexibility, expand the range of motion and increase muscle tone.
Many patients have poorly developed calf muscles in the affected leg. Even after surgery, they may not recover to a healthy state. In some cases, it is necessary to wear a retaining bandage that will help keep the legs in a normal position and will contribute to normal movement.
Prospects
Children who undergo such operations can lead an active and mobile lifestyle, but still be careful. Potential risks associated with surgery include nerve damage to the leg, excessive swelling of the foot, interruption of blood flow to the limb, and the formation of ulcers.
The most common complaint in people after treatment is stiffness of the foot and ankle joint. Over time, this can develop into arthritis. With age, the risk that a second operation will be needed increases. The most successful way to get rid of such a foot defect as clubfoot in a child is early treatment.
How is clubfoot diagnosed?
The doctor makes a diagnosis at birth with a visual examination. If we are talking about an older child, then the history of his development is revealed, as this may be associated with other neuromuscular disorders. Further medical supervision is sometimes required to evaluate underlying problems. Diagnostic procedures may include:
- an x-ray that uses invisible electromagnetic rays to obtain images of internal tissues, bones, and organs;
- computed tomography is a diagnostic imaging procedure in which it uses a combination of X-rays and computer technology to produce horizontal and vertical cross-sectional images of the body (CT shows detailed images of any part of the body, including bones, muscles, fat and internal organs).
The affected feet can be flexible, in this case we are talking about positional clubfoot. This type of problem is caused by the incorrect position of the baby in the uterus. As a rule, the issue is resolved without operations. True clubfoot is tough, with it it is quite problematic to carry out any manipulations with the foot. Symptoms may resemble other foot diseases. It is always worth consulting a doctor for the correct diagnosis.
Preventive measures
What can have a positive effect after surgery correcting clubfoot in children (treatment)? Massage is an excellent prophylactic; it will also be useful after all therapeutic procedures. This is a very effective procedure that allows you to adjust the position of the foot. It is recommended to make rotational and straightening movements of the feet, to gently stretch the calcaneal tendon. Massage can be done by a doctor, at the same time it is recommended to combine it with a restorative massage of the whole body and physiotherapy exercises.
To prevent clubfoot and flat feet, you can perform exercises such as walking on toes and heels, walking barefoot on the orthopedic rug, squats, climbing stairs without shoes. During classes, it is important to ensure that the socks of the child are not directed inside the foot. Any motor activity should be accompanied by a good mood and lack of pain.