Taking care of a child with club foot, also known as talipes, can be a long and challenging journey. The condition causes a misalignment or curving in the feet, but there are special treatments, tips and resources to help parents navigate this difficult diagnosis.
Understand the Basics of Talipes.
Before you begin the process of managing your child's club foot, it is important to understand the basics about talipes. Club foot is a condition in which the feet are abnormally curved or misaligned and medical intervention is necessary. Treatment options may include casts, exercises, physical therapy, splints and sometimes surgery to help the feet achieve a proper alignment.
Diagnosing club foot
- Talipes, commonly known as club foot, is a birth defect whereby an infant’s foot is twisted inwards and down instead of pointing forward. It is often diagnosed at birth, however abnormal positioning of the foot may be detected during routine ultrasound scans performed between eighteen and twenty-one weeks gestation. Diagnosis of club foot, or talipes, in a fetus during pregnancy allows parents to start planning for their baby's future and learn what to expect after the birth. This early diagnosis can give families time to talk to doctors and receive information about what treatments will be required for club foot.
- Talipes is the medical term for club foot, a condition where one or both feet are turned inward at birth. The cause of club foot is not well understood, though it has been suggested that genetic and environmental factors may play a role. Club foot can also be caused by being cramped in the womb due to a lack of room in the mother's uterus.
- Clubfoot, also known as talipes equinovarus, is a congenital condition where a baby's feet are turned inwards and downwards. Treatment usually involves several sessions of physiotherapy to gently move the feet into the correct position where they stay in place with corrective splints. Typically by 3 months of age, the infant should have corrected their club foot.
Consult with a Specialist to Create and Follow a Treatment Plan.
When it comes to managing club foot in children, one of the most important steps you can take is to consult with a specialist. An expert will be able to assess the severity of your child's condition and develop a customized treatment plan that best fits their individual needs. This plan should include goals and milestones for improvement as well as a timeline so you can effectively track progress and adjust the plan if necessary. Working with a professional is also beneficial because they can offer educational materials, answer questions, and provide emotional support throughout the process, giving both parents and children peace of mind.
Take Advantage of Orthopedic Bracing Options for Your Child.
Another key component to managing club foot in children is orthopedic bracing. As part of the treatment plan, your child's doctor may prescribe boots, bars and/or braces to help keep their feet in the correct position while they adjust to walking. Braces provide external support that holds a child’s foot and ankle in place as they learn how to walk. Depending on the severity of the condition, this type of bracing may need to be worn for several weeks or up to one year until the corrective goal is achieved. Additionally, physical therapy along with the brace will help promote strength and flexibility while improving balance, helping your child transition into walking more successfully.
Schedule Regular Check-Ups and Adjustments for Shoes, Ankle Foot Orthosis (AFO), or Other Braces as Necessary.
It is essential to schedule regular check-ups and adjustments with your child’s healthcare provider as they grow, to ensure that the AFOs and other braces are fitting properly. This will help keep them moving forward on their journey toward improved movement and stability. During these visits, your healthcare provider may also make recommendations for additional treatments such as surgery or physical therapy.
Encourage Plenty of Activity and Exercise Above and Beyond Normal Juvenile Physical Activity Levels for Ongoing Movement Development and Correction of Club Foot Deformity.
Encouraging plenty of activity and exercise for your child can help keep their club foot from becoming stiff or rigid. It is important to have an exercise plan specifically tailored for children with talipes because this will give them an opportunity to use weight bearing through their legs as part of a stretching program. Weight bearing through the legs helps strengthen the muscles in the feet and ankles and can also help correct the deformity. Regular physical activities like walking, swimming, running, and cycling are all helpful activities that encourage movement development correct club foot deformity.
Causes of club foot
- Talipes, or club foot, is a congenital defect which is characterized by an abnormal positioning of the foot. While the exact cause of this condition is difficult to pinpoint, it has been suggested that there may be a genetic link. Many cases have been reported where the affliction appears to run in families.
- If a child is born with club foot (talipes) their chances of having a second child with the same condition are approximately 1 in 35.
- If one of the parents has talipes (club foot), then there is about a 3.3% probability that the baby will also have it.
- Club foot talipes is a congenital condition that affects around 1 in 1,000 babies. The chances of having clubfoot talipes increases to about 1 in 3 if both parents carry the gene for it.
- Club foot, or talipes, is a birth defect where the foot is twisted inward and downward. It affects 1-3 in every 1000 live births. Although it can be congenital, it is not usually linked to any other serious conditions such as spina bifida.
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