Clubfoot

Mayo Clinic Health Manager

Get free personalized health guidance for you and your family.

Get Started

Free

E-Newsletter

Subscribe to receive the latest updates on health topics. About our newsletters

  • Housecall
  • Alzheimer's caregiving
  • Living with cancer

Tests and diagnosis

By Mayo Clinic staff

Most commonly, a doctor recognizes clubfoot after birth just from looking at the shape and positioning of the newborn's feet. The doctor may request X-rays to fully understand the severity of the deformity.

It's possible to clearly see some cases of clubfoot before birth during a baby's ultrasound examination. If clubfoot affects both feet, it's more likely to be apparent in an ultrasound. While nothing can be done before birth to solve the problem, knowing about the defect may give you time to learn more about clubfoot and get in touch with appropriate health experts, such as a genetic counselor or an orthopedic surgeon.

References
  1. Clubfoot. American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons. http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00255. Accessed July 21, 2008.
  2. Chen RC, et al. A new dynamic foot abduction orthosis for clubfoot treatment. Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics. 2007;27(5):522-528.
  3. Edmondson MC, et al. Long-term follow-up of the surgically corrected clubfoot. Journal of Pediatric Orthpaedics. 2007;16(3):204-208.
  4. Macnicol, MF, et al. Changing concepts in the management of congenital talipes equinovarus. Paediatrics and Child Health. 2008;18(6):272-277.
  5. Siapkara A, et al. Congenital talipes equinovarus: A review of current management. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. 2007;89(8):995-1000.
  6. Sud A, et al. Ponseti's vs. Kite's method in the treatment of clubfoot - A prospective randomized study. International Orthopaedics. 2008;32(3):409-413.
  7. Hoecker J (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. August 7, 2008.

DS00814

Nov. 6, 2008

© 1998-2009 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "EmbodyHealth," "Reliable tools for healthier lives," "Enhance your life," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

Print Share Reprints

Text Size: smaller largerlarger