When an injury or health condition affects your child’s quality of life or keeps them from doing what they love, your family can rely on Wellstar Pediatric Orthopedics to provide compassionate, comprehensive care. As your child grows, so do their bones and joints, and they need specialized expertise—whether they’ve broken a bone on the playground or have a congenital condition present at birth.
One in 1,000 babies is born with clubfoot, a condition in which one or both feet are turned inward and downward. If your child is affected by clubfoot, our pediatric orthopedic specialists provide expert care for this condition—supporting your child at every step of treatment.
The pediatric orthopedic team at Wellstar understands that medical procedures can be stressful for both young children and their families. Your child’s care team will personalize treatment to their individual needs, and they can answer any questions you have about clubfoot or managing the condition.
Care for clubfoot usually begins when the child is a few weeks old, with the goal of correcting the foot position before they learn to walk—minimizing the impact of the condition on the child’s long-term mobility.
“We use the Ponseti method, a nonsurgical approach that uses a series of casts and then bracing to gradually reposition the foot,” said Wellstar Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Michael Priola.
With this method, most patients wear a series of casts on their foot for about seven weeks, and the cast is switched out weekly in order to correct multiple deformities at once. Following casting, about 90% of patients require a minor procedure that releases the Achilles tendon, allowing further correction. A final cast is then worn for an additional three weeks. Once corrected, a brace is used to maintain the alignment. The brace is typically worn for two to four years to prevent the condition from returning.
“This method boasts a high success rate and avoids the need for extensive surgery,” Dr. Priola said. “However, in more severe cases or if the Ponseti method fails, more extensive surgical intervention may be considered.”
With timely and appropriate treatment, children born with clubfoot can experience significant improvement, leading to a bright future that is not limited by the condition.
To book an appointment with a pediatric orthopedic surgeon, visit wellstar.org/pedsortho or call (404) 321-9900.
