What should I do if my newborn has one foot turned outward?

The shape of the feet is an important factor affecting the future image of a newborn. If the feet are good-looking, the body shape will get better and better as the baby grows up, which will have a very beneficial effect on people's image. However, in modern life, more and more newborns have ugly feet. Among them, the most common symptom is foot valgus. Let's take a look at what to do if a newborn has one foot valgus? I hope everyone can understand it.

Also known as clubfoot, it is a developmental deformity that can be detected when a child is born. Clubfoot can occur on one or both feet. During development, the tendons and ligaments (posterior and deep) of the foot fail to develop in sync with the development of other tendons and ligaments in the foot. As a result, these tendons and ligaments pull the posterior and medial side of the foot downward, causing the foot to twist downward and inward. As a result, the bones of the foot are placed in abnormal positions. The foot turns inward, becomes stiff, and cannot return to its normal position.

This treatment works best when it is started before 9 months of age, preferably soon after birth. For children between 9 and 28 months of age, this treatment is still effective and can correct all or most of the deformity. After 28 months, the Ponseti method is still effective, but most children will need surgery in the meantime.

Summary of treatment methods

1. Manual therapy - After several weeks of manual therapy, the bones of the foot are restored to a nearly normal position, and the foot deformity is gradually corrected.

2. Plaster - After each manual treatment, the foot and calf are cast for 5-7 days to maintain the position of the foot.

3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 until the foot is corrected to the correct position.

4. To completely correct the foot, doctors usually cut the Achilles tendon. This minor surgery is performed under local anesthesia and takes only 10 minutes.

5. Bracing - As soon as the last cast is removed, your child will be fitted with a wearable brace:

a. Wear it for 3 months, 23 hours a day.

b. Wear it every time you sleep for the next 2 to 4 years.

Bracing is a key part of treatment. Even if your child's foot appears to have returned to normal, if they don't wear it at every bedtime, their foot may turn back around, even after more than two and a half years of orthotics.

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