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What Are The Main Causes of Clubfoot?

Club Foot is a deformity of the foot and ankle that can completely affect the movement and function of the foot and/or ankle. There are three main types of deformities that can be seen. The actual cause of club foot is debatable.

Some argue that no single cause exists for club foot. As you will read, there is quite a bit of controversy in the cause of this condition.

Often the cause of this diagnosis is called idiopathic – or unknown. This doesn’t sit well with everyone, in fact, I recently received an angry email (she gave permission to make reference) regarding a doctor’s visit she had where the cause was classified as unknown.

At the same time, there are certain syndromes or birth defects that see a higher propensity of having a club foot. Therefore, club foot can happen on its own or because of other genetic or other conditions.

Essentially, club foot is a congenital deformity that happens in 1 out of every 1,000 births. It is seen twice as often in men than in women. It can be seen in screening during the 20th week ultrasound. At that time, the development is advanced enough to get a good look.

Screening is somewhat controversial. Many doctors, because this condition can be associated with other birth defects, screening becomes that much more important.

If only the birth defect of club foot is seen, it is called isolated. But if club foot plus another congenital deformity is seen – it becomes complex.

Other birth defects that can be associated with club foot include spina bifida, Edwards syndrome, Growth arrests, and others.

A large cause is not by congenital disorders changes but rather the position of the baby when inside the womb of the mother. Though this topic is another point of controversy. Others believe that this has no bearing on the presence of club foot. In these cases, the cause is often unknown.

Other risk factors that are considered environmental factors or causes include sex, mother smoking (20 times more likely), family history, decrease in amniotic fluid, illicit drug use, and infections during pregnancy.

Some studies have shown that there’s a 2.5% chance that the next sibling born in a family after one with a club foot will also have this condition. If its a girl who has a club foot, there’s a 6.5 percent chance that her next-born sibling will also have a club foot. This is quite interesting.

Learn more about additional risk factors, treatment, different types, and joints affected at the following link – here