Clubfoot is a common pathology of intrauterine skeletal development in children. This bone deformity is very prevalent, accounting for about 12% of all congenital pathologies encountered.
Causes
The cause of such an anomaly as clubfoot is still unknown. There is only a theory that the development of the deformity is laid down during the formation of the soft tissues of the lower leg and foot in the fetus.
Symptoms of Clubfoot
Clubfoot cannot be overlooked in a child. The foot is deviated from the line of the lower leg inward, with the inner edge turned upward. Another type of congenital clubfoot is multi-planar, where the foot is bent in an arch and twisted so that both its inner edge and heel "rise" upward. External rotation of the lower leg is also common, along with a transverse bending of the sole and curvature of the toes. As the child grows, clubfoot will cause many problems – it will be difficult to find suitable footwear, the affected leg will be significantly weaker than the healthy one, and growth disturbances will occur.
Diagnosis of Clubfoot in Israel
In Israel, clubfoot is diagnosed during examination immediately after the birth of the child. This condition has very obvious signs. However, there is no need to worry about the pathology, as timely initiation of treatment will free the child from the deformity.
Treatment of Clubfoot in Israel
Treatment of clubfoot, like its diagnosis, is carried out at an early age of the child.
In Israel, various splints, plaster casts, and braces are used to fix the foot in the correct position. This treatment can last from two to four months.
One of the most popular and proven methods over 35 years of practice is the Ponseti method. It involves alternating careful casting of the legs with manual therapy. The duration of treatment with this method is 2 months. After that, the child needs to wear special shoes (braces) for a considerable time. This requires a lot of patience from the parents, but the result is worth it – complete elimination of the deformity without surgical intervention.
If treatment is started late and conservative methods have not yielded results, clubfoot is corrected surgically.
Prevention
Parents should understand that clubfoot is not a self-healing condition. It is essential to seek professional medical help immediately after the child is diagnosed with "clubfoot" to begin treatment.