Health Tip: Treating Clubfoot

Treatment should begin as early as possible

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(HealthDay News) -- A clubfoot is a birth defect that's characterized by a foot that is turned abnormally to the side. The affected limb also is smaller and shorter than the healthy leg.

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The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons offers this list of possible ways to treat clubfoot:

• By stretching the foot toward the correct position and wearing a cast that is changed frequently (the Ponseti method).
• By wearing a brace at night (usually after the Ponseti method).
• By having surgery to correct the affected joints, ligaments and tendons.
• By wearing special shoes and a brace after surgery to prevent the clubfoot from re-forming.

-- Diana Kohnle