Clubfoot treatment options range from the Ponseti method to surgery. LIV Hospital offers expert casting and rehabilitation for optimal foot correction.
Send us all your questions or requests, and our expert team will assist you.
Treatment and Recovery
Treating clubfoot is a journey that begins almost immediately after birth. The goal of treatment is to correct the deformity early so the child can have a functional, pain-free, and stable foot for walking. Because a newborn’s bones, joints, and ligaments are very flexible, orthopedic specialists can often guide the foot into the correct position without major surgery.
At LIV Hospital, we utilize the world-renowned Ponseti Method, which is considered the gold standard for clubfoot treatment. This non-invasive approach has a success rate of over 90% when started early. Our pediatric orthopedic team works closely with parents to ensure the treatment plan is followed precisely, minimizing the risk of relapse. Whether your child needs standard casting or complex surgical intervention for a rigid deformity, our goal is to ensure they grow up running and playing just like their peers. This section outlines the treatment phases, from the first cast to the final brace.
The primary treatment for clubfoot is almost always non-surgical initially. The Ponseti method uses gentle manipulation to stretch the tight tissues.
This technique involves a series of plaster casts that are changed weekly.
Mothers and fathers play a role, too. Regular stretching exercises performed by parents are often prescribed to maintain flexibility between cast changes and after the bracing phase begins.
While the casting corrects the shape of the foot bones, the Achilles tendon (heel cord) is often extremely tight and does not stretch enough. To fix this, a minor procedure is usually required.
About 90% of babies treated with the Ponseti method require this small procedure to correct the final equinus (downward-pointing) deformity.
Surgery is reserved for cases that do not respond to casting (resistant clubfoot), syndromic cases, or relapsed deformities that come back as the child grows.
If the foot remains stiff, the surgeon may perform a comprehensive release. This involves lengthening multiple tendons (like the posterior tibial tendon) and releasing tight capsules around the ankle joints to physically align the bones.
In some children, the clubfoot tends to relapse around age 3 to 5. This is often because the tibialis anterior muscle pulls the foot inward too strongly.
For older children or neglected cases where the bones have hardened in a deformed shape, surgeons may need to cut the bone (osteotomy) to realign the foot properly.
Once the final cast is removed, the rehabilitation phase begins. This phase relies heavily on a specialized brace to keep the correction.
The foot has a natural tendency to twist back into the clubfoot position. To prevent this, the child must wear a foot abduction brace (often called Dennis Brown boots or a Mitchell brace).
Clubfoot care does not end when the brace comes off.
Treating clubfoot requires patience, precision, and a child-friendly environment. LIV Hospital provides comprehensive care for your little one.
Send us all your questions or requests, and our expert team will assist you.
The primary option is the Ponseti method, which involves gentle manipulation and serial casting. If casting is successful, a brace is used to maintain correction. Surgical options include Achilles tenotomy (a minor cut to the heel cord) or extensive soft tissue releases for resistant cases.
The active casting phase takes about 4 to 8 weeks. However, the rehabilitation via bracing lasts for years. The child must wear the brace at night until they are 3 or 4 years old to ensure the foot does not turn back in.
Most children (about 90%) will need a minor procedure called a percutaneous tenotomy to lengthen the tight Achilles tendon. Major reconstructive surgery is rarely needed if the Ponseti method is started early and followed correctly.
Clubfoot is a structural problem, so medicines cannot cure it. However, after the tenotomy procedure, the doctor may recommend simple pain relievers (like acetaminophen) for a day or two to keep the baby comfortable.
During the casting phase, you will visit the doctor weekly. Once the final cast is off, your child will transition to boots connected by a bar. While it takes time for the baby to adjust to the brace, they will soon be able to crawl and kick normally. The long-term outcome is typically excellent, with children participating in all normal activities.
