Baby Born Doll Website | Dr Martin Shoes Official Website

This article has been written to help worried parents who are expecting, or have, a baby with clubfeet. The purpose of the article is to pass on information about the success of the Ponseti Method of treating clubfeet without major surgery. The motivation for writing the article is that the author personally knows a family who are deeply grateful for what the late Dr. Ponseti and his Method have done for their child. Their child was born with distal arthrogryposis.

Clubfoot

According to the Ponseti International website, clubfoot is a congenital deformity which occurs when the muscles, tendons and bones develop abnormally during pregnancy. Each year about 150,000 to 200,000 babies are born with clubfoot. Researchers believe both genetic and environmental factors play their part.

Clubfoot and Surgery

The view is expressed on the Ponseti International website that extensive surgery does not cure clubfoot. It may result in an improvement in the appearance of the foot. However, the downside is that the muscles may lose their strength and there is the potential of stiffness during the second and third decade of the patient's life. Note that sometimes a minor operation is needed to release the Achilles tendon. This can be done under local anesthetic.