Late effects

If a clubfoot is treated consistently, there are usually no restrictions. Small differences can, however, be seen in the length of the foot, so the former clubfoot is usually somewhat shorter than the healthy foot. If necessary, the leg on the side of the clubfoot is also minimally shortened.

There are also differences in the lower leg muscles, especially in the calf, which are weaker on the side of the clubfoot. Nevertheless, patients can usually wear ready-made shoes after the treatment and engage in sports. If a clubfoot remains untreated, this has far-reaching consequences for the affected person.

They can only walk on the outer edge of the foot, or in very severe cases even only on the back of the foot. In addition, the clubfoot continues to deteriorate as it grows, causing the joints to shift more and more and the bones to become more and more deformed. As a result, the muscles involved harden and, in the worst case, the foot becomes stiff. Arthrosis in the upper and lower ankle joint can also occur at an early stage, requiring surgical joint stiffening. Furthermore, a clubfoot is a complex malformation that affects the entire body.

OP

In the case of a congenital clubfoot, surgery is only necessary if purely conservative treatment is unsuccessful or the clubfoot occurs repeatedly. Usually, the operation is performed at the age of 3 months using a minimally invasive technique. This means that the doctor makes a small puncture through the skin and cuts the Achilles tendon.

Then the clubfoot is plastered in the optimal correction position for 3-4 weeks. During this time, the Achilles tendon grows together again without negative consequences. In the case of an acquired clubfoot, the purely conservative therapy is unsuccessful.

A skin incision is made from the inside of the big toe to the outer ankle. The Achilles tendon must be artificially lengthened by splitting it lengthwise. Then all joints and bones are brought into the correct position.

In rare cases, a muscle transplantation or joint stiffening must be performed. Once all components have been corrected, a thigh cast is applied, which is replaced with a plastic cast on the same day. Afterwards, further plaster changes are made at intervals of 2-3 weeks.After 6 weeks the cast can be removed and a night splint worn.