Club foot is a physical deformity in one or both of the feet. The condition seems pretty straightforward and easy to understand, but, like most medical conditions, there is still quite a bit of unfamiliar terminology that is used when describing treatment and diagnosis. The following is a list of 10 common medical terms that will help you better understand club foot.
- Congenital condition: This is a disease or physical disability present at birth. Club foot is a congenital condition.
- Bilateral club foot: When both feet are affected, this is known as bilateral club foot.
- Idiopathic: This is a medical term for ‘unknown’. The exact cause of club foot is currently idiopathic. However, this does not imply that a cause won't be discovered in the future.
- Ossification: This is transformation from cartilage into bone. Infants with club foot have foot and ankle bones that have yet to fully ossify. Therefore, sometimes diagnostic tests like X-rays are unable to confirm the diagnosis because the infant's bones do not show up well on the images.
- X-ray: This is a form of radiation that creates internal images of the body. An X-ray is taken to help confirm a diagnosis of club foot. Although, like mentioned earlier, this is not always useful when dealing with infants.
- Orthopedic: This is the medical field that specializes in correcting abnormalities or functional impairments of the skeletal system. An orthopedic specialist will be seen for treating club foot if the traditional casting method of treatment is used.
- Casting: Treatment for club foot involves manipulating the foot into the correct position and using a cast to keep it in place. The cast is replaced every week for 5 to 10 weeks, and then a final cast is worn for 3 weeks. This treatment is known as casting.
- Achilles tenotomy: A common problem with club foot following casting treatment is a tightened Achilles tendon. Minor surgery is needed to release the tendon. After surgery, the tendon grows back longer and allows more range of motion at the ankle joint.
- Boots and bar: Following an Achilles tenotomy, the next phase of treatment is the "boots and bar" stage. The infant will wear special boots which are connected to each other with a bar. Wearing them is essential to prevent club foot from reoccurring.
- Osteotomy: The literal translation of this medical term is “cutting of the bone”. In extreme cases, surgery may be required to treat the condition. This surgery is known as club foot repair. Depending on the case and severity, the bone is cut in order to lengthen or shorten it in order to change the alignment.
