Tips on Clubfoot Braces

Clubfoot is a deformity that affects newborns. It is a genetic disorder that causes one or both of the baby's feet to turn inward. The treatment process for clubfoot is quite involved, and there are various tips that parents should consider when going through the treatment process.

Clubfoot Treatment Procedure

• According to Ortho-hub.com, doctors address clubfoot within seven to 10 days of birth. They begin by gently stretching and manipulating the leg ligaments, using the Ponseti method. Typically the doctor will apply a cast with a center brace that sits near the child's groin. The cast will force the legs outward, and the doctor replaces the cast about once a week over the next seven weeks, slowly forcing the legs outward with each new cast. Finally, the doctor will complete a simple surgery procedure on the Achilles tendon. After this procedure heals, the doctor will provide the parents with an abduction brace to prevent relapse.

Clubfoot Abduction Brace Instructions

• Typically made from a plastic material, the brace straps to the legs and the braces keeps the legs separated with a rigid metal or plastic bar between the feet. Children will have to wear these braces all day for the first three months and at night for the next few years.

  As the child reaches the age when he begins to crawl, around eight or nine months, you can leave the braces off during the day, re-attaching the braces at night and at naptimes. This practice should continue until the child is 4 or 5. Make sure to regularly consult with your doctor about proper use of the abduction brace.

Additional Brace Tips

• To ensure that the brace properly fits the child, you doctor will likely have a plastic mold fitted for your child's feet. Proper wearing instructions require that parents provide cotton socks to cover the feet. Two socks may be required. This will keep the foot warm and comfortable as the brace attaches over the foot. When placing the child's foot into the brace, slide the heel into the back of the brace by gently bending the child's knee. The child's toes should not move back and forth after tightening the straps. This is a delicate balance because you want to make sure not to over-tighten the foot brace straps because you want adequate circulation for the child's toes.

  Replacement of the brace will be necessary as the child outgrows it. You can notice this beginning to happen as your child's toes begin to curl over the end of the brace. Your doctor will assist you with this monitoring process, but you should be cognizant of the process as well.