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CAN
CLUBFOOT BE CLASSIFIED ? |
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| Yes, classifying clubfoot
into categories improves understanding for communication
and management [A]. |
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Untreated
Clubfoot : under 2 years of age |
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Neglected Clubfoot
: untreated after 2 years |
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Corrected Clubfoot
: corrected by Ponseti management |
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Recurrent Clubfoot
: supination and equinus develop after
initial good correction |
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Resistant Clubfoot
: Stiff clubfoot seen in association with
syndromes
such as arthrogryposis |
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Complex Clubfoot
: initially treated by a method other than
Ponseti manaagement |
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WHAT
CAUSES CLUBFOOT ? |
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| Parents may be concerned
that they have done something wrong and caused their child.s
clubfoot. Doctors agree that clubfoot is not caused by
anything the family did or did not do. |
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| The cause of clubfoot
is not exactly known. Doctors know that clubfoot is more
common in certain families. The usual incidence of clubfoot
is about 1 in 1,000 births. The chances of having a second
child with clubfoot is approximately 1 in 30. |
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| In summary, there
is no reason for parents to feel guilty about having a
child with clubfoot. |
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WHAT
IS THE FUTURE OF CHILDREN WITH CLUBFOOT ? |
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| The child with a clubfoot
corrected by Ponseti management can be expected to have
a nearly normal foot. Some minor effects may be noticed. |
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SIZE DIFFERENCE |
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The treated clubfoot is
often very slightly smaller than the normal foot.
There may be a slight reduction in the size of the
calf. How much reduction depends on the original
severity of the clubfoot. No signi.cant shortening
of the leg occurs. |
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| Subtle differences
do not cause any problem and often go unnoticed
by the child. During adolescence, when people become
very concerned about body image, this slight difference
may be noticed, but is usually forgotten in a year
or two. |
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SPORTS |
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Outcome studies of patients
treated by Ponseti management show that children
and adults with corrected clubfoot may participate
in athletics like anyone else. We know many excellent
athletes who have corrected clubfoot. |
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