Prevention
By Mayo Clinic staffBecause doctors don't know what causes clubfoot, you can't completely prevent it. However, if you're pregnant, you can do things to limit your baby's risk of birth defects, such as clubfoot, including:
- not smoking or spending time in smoky environments
- not drinking alcohol
- avoiding drugs not approved by your doctor
References
- AskMayoExpert. Can clubfoot be diagnosed in utero? Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2012.
- AskMayoExpert. Is further surgical intervention needed for congenital clubfoot? Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2012.
- AskMayoExpert. Are other medical conditions associated with congenital clubfoot? Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2012.
- AskMayoExpert. Why should a patient be referred to a pediatric orthopedic surgeon for the treatment of congenital clubfoot? Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2012.
- AskMayoExpert. What is the usual treatment for congenital clubfoot? Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2012.
- AskMayoExpert. Clubfoot: Key facts. Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2012.
- Kliegman RM, et al. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 19th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2011. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/208746819-6/0/1608/0.html. Accessed Feb. 6, 2013.
- Canale ST, et al. Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics. 11th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/208746819-4/0/1584/0.html. Accessed Feb. 5, 2013.
- Bridgens J, et al. Current management of clubfoot (congenital talipes equinovarus). BMJ. 2010;340:c355.
- Birth defects. March of Dimes. http://www.marchofdimes.com/baby/birthdefects_clubfoot.html#. Accessed Feb. 6, 2013.
- Dobbs MB, et al. Update on clubfoot: Etiology and treatment. Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research. 2009;467:1146.


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