Reply To: Help for Clubfoot Babies

Pashuteh Yid – good question, hopefully, I can answer it adequately.

the Ponseti method does not involve breaking and resetting the bones in the proper position — this is a more radical procedure and can cause anything from discomfort to full pain for the child later in life. Many doctors will not perform this procedure until the child is at least 1 year old. Additionally, arthritis can set in because of the surgery.

The Ponseti method repositions the bones via casting and maintains the position with the boots and bars. If the condition is found via the sonogram, the procedure can start as early as the day of birth.

There can be surgery with the Ponseti method to release the achilles tendon – many times the tendon is tight and the foot faces down. there is pain with this procedure, however, the child is extremely young, the pain is not lasting and the child will have no recollection.

the major advantages are:

1) less radical procedure – there is generally no need to break the bones*

2) less pain – during, immediately after and years after

* it could happen that the castings are not working and the surgery will be needed – the Ponseti certified Dr. will explain this.

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NOTE: the “md” in “mdlevine” does NOT stand for medical doctor. I am neither a doctor nor do I work currently or have I worked in any capaicty in the medical field.