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ERIC Number: EJ762216
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2007-Mar
Pages: 3
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0046-9157
EISSN: N/A
Clubfoot: An Orthopaedic Surgeon Describes Clubfoot and Current Treatment Methods
Vitale, Michael
Exceptional Parent, v37 n3 p48-50 Mar 2007
As an orthopaedic surgeon who has treated numerous cases of clubfoot in his career, the author knows that it takes exceptional parents to deal with the challenges of having a child born with a clubfoot. However, it should be noted that a clubfoot diagnosis does not mean a life of pain, deformity, and disability for a child. Today's treatment options hold out much hope and promise. In this article, the author describes clubfoot and current treatment methods. Clubfoot, which occurs in about one in a thousand births, is the most common musculoskeletal birth defect and is the seventh most common birth defect overall. It is a deformity of the lower limb, characterized by adductus of the forefoot, cavus (increased longitudinal arch), varus of the heel (heel is turned in), and equinus of the foot (foot is in plantar flexion) as well as a small calf muscle. The Ponseti method, developed by Dr. Ignacio V. Ponseti from the University of Iowa, has become the gold standard for treating clubfoot. It is based on specific manipulations and casting and does not require any significant surgery. The Ponseti method has dramatically improved the results of treatment of children born with this condition.
EP Global Communications Inc. 551 Main Street, Johnstown, PA 15901. Tel: 877-372-7368; Fax: 814-361-3861; e-mail: EPAR@kable.com; Web site: http://www.eparent.com/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A