Information on ClubFeet in Black and White
About Club Feet
Club Feet is a deformity of the feet, the medical name for Club Feet is "Congenital Talipes Equinovarus". When a baby is born with Club Feet, their feet are pointing inwards and downwards.
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The Baby on the left has Club Feet, the baby on the right doesn't. |  |
There are so many procedures available to correct Club Feet, check the Medical Page.
Most of the time, Club Feet can be corrected at birth, but sometimes, like everything in medicine, it can't.
I have met a few of people who were born with "Congenital Talipes Equinovarus", some of them have a very slight form of Club Feet, some, like me, have a severe type of Club Feet, and some people I know who were born with "Congenital Talipes Equinovarus" which was corrected at birth and don't suffer at all.
Club Feet, As a person
Club Feet, as a person, means many different things, speaking only from my experience.When I was a young child I could not cross my legs, and having several operations.
Now being 19 Years old, the disadvantages of Club Feet is that I suffer from pain, mainly in one foot, and I can not be on my feet for long periods of time. Club Feet also causes the feet not to grow as much as they should do, which causes lack of balance.
This does not mean that everybody with Club Feet will have the same disadvantages as me, I have had several operations, which have not been very successful.
I was born with Club Feet, and after several operations, I suffer mainly in my left foot. My right foot has not been corrected, and still causes some pain, but my left foot causes the most pain, and I can only really stand up for short periods of time, some days the pain can be ok, and I can be on my feet for about an hour, other days, my feet can be really bad, and I want to sit down after 5 minutes. But as I have said, this is just me, some operations I have had, I feel have made my feet worse.
Read more on my story.
How do you get Club Feet
I have heard several good reasons on the causes of Club Feet, If you have heard one, please email me at- When lying in the womb, the feet are pressed and therefore making the feet grow inward
- When in the womb a nerve in the spine gets caught, therefore stopping the brain sending signals to your feet, making them not turn out and not grow much
- Club Feet could be in the genes, but this does not mean that if you have Club Feet, your child will.
Comments About ClubFeet
| Comment added by : alan murphy on the 13 Jul 2007 at 19:46pm |
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| hi have only just thought about looking into the club foot ,iwas born with one my right foot had a corrective operation when i was a child have had a normal life playing sport and running,doing wieghts iam now 50 yrs old and have started to have tightness and some pain in the ankle especially after resting then trying to walk ,after a while the pain gets better i have corrective foot wear eg; inserts in my shoes but lately they even dont seem to helpiam asking does anyone have any ideas to what to do or do i just put up with it sorry for the spelling |
| Comment added by : Kheira Mintz on the 12 Jul 2007 at 10:57am |
| My cousin has a child who was born with club feet, she had to take him to europe for surgery howver he still require special shoes, for club feet with inserts in the back at the heal level, she is not from the US and I live here and I would like to help her, Where can I buy him a pair? |
| Comment added by : Shelley Ann on the 10 Jul 2007 at 05:41am |
| I was born with club feet, just didn't want to realize it or think about it, until now, and I have been wanting to look it up and see what and how it became of. We'll i'm in the military and 39 yrs. old, my feet turn inwards both, and I have the smallest ankles, which keep me from wearing dress or skirts or any pretty shoe. I wish I was normal, I tell myself at times, just so i can wear sandals or tennie shoes with no socks. But I am too embarrassed and from my knees on down, i'm almost like a skeleton, just bones.LOL Oh well, I guess hiding them after all these years, and none of my friends complaining is good. Cause now I can tell whomever what is wrong and I've come to the truth and as I got older and wiser, I can't hide it know more. I have never had no operations or nothing, grew up poor, but the best in life for me was playing sports, and my feet did hurt two crucial times in my life, both when I attended some schools for a long period of time, something just came up, to the point where I couldn't run or march, so I had to walk to the side, I was emabarrassed. But I also keep my head up, and now I wonder, LOL, if it's too late for me, or can i get some real ankles where I can wear pretty shoes and dresses and skirts??LOL. We'll it's too late, and I can't be embarrassed no more, but will never show my ankles or feet wearing shower shoes or just plain sandals. Both my heels are round and when I see other females wearing sandles or heels, I wished I could have normal feel so I could feel good about my feet, instead of hiding them, but oh well, life goes on, and one last thing, I never told any of my family members tell awhile ago, and one day while on the phone with my sister I just told her I had club feet and she wasn't surprised at all, she never questioned me about it, but when her youngest was born, she went thru all these operations wearing the same things all the other babies did, braces and surgery from her hips being deformed and her walking, she finally told me all that, but never told me the reason, and now I know, she didn't have to tell me, she also told me that her little girl may not be able to run or play sports, but we'll see, I did, without no operations in growing up in life and being teased and hearing negative remarks about my legs being so skinny, and I run alot and am a good runner, but still no muscles ever grow and never have. I plan on having one child soon, and I hope he or she don't come out that way, and feel the way I did growing up. This was a good site for me too come too after all these years, and get some comfort. Thanks alot. Hopefully my sister can accept her baby being the same, I do know what she can and will go thru growing up and feeling the way I did. |
| Comment added by : Don on the 06 Jul 2007 at 18:13pm |
| I am a male who was born with bilateral clubfeet in 1955. There are many comments I could make regarding life with clubfeet, but I’ll make only a few at this time. First, it is interesting, at this time in my life, that I’ve decided to look for information on clubfeet, and second, that I found this website; I think it’s great. With respect to calf augmentation (or implantation), I underwent the procedure 16 years ago (1991). I think whether or not to get calf implants really depends on your specific situation. In my case, I did not get the results for which I had hoped. Let me try to explain. Since I have never seen anyone else (at least knowingly) who has had clubfeet, I do not know if everyone’s lower legs appear similar. In my case, not only are my calves very small, but also both of my lower legs are “extremely” skinny. It is true that after having calf implants my calves are somewhat larger. However, my legs below my calves have remained extremely skinny. This is because the implant procedure limits the implant to a “pocket” that is formed in the calf area. Therefore, although the calves themselves become larger, the remainder of the lower leg remains the same. In my case, I not only have very skinny lower legs, but I also have very “high” or “short” calves and large ankles, making the area between my calves and feet appear even more imbalanced. Perhaps calf implant surgical techniques have changed over the past 16 years. I would assess your specific situation and find a doctor who has lots of experience with calf implants. Then, try to determine if you will obtain the results you want. As an adult, I have rarely worn shorts and when I do, I have always received lots of stares. At first, after having the implants, I tried to wear shorts more often. However, there were still plenty of stares and comments. I even had another adult male say, “Hey, you’ve got a chicken leg.” (I really don’t know what people are thinking.) Life with clubfeet has been somewhat difficult (and painful). Until I reached my early 20’s I never experienced much pain in my feet. As a kid I loved and played most sports. Suddenly, in my early 20’s, I started having lots of pain in my feet, which I attribute to arthritis. However, since that time I have managed to live with it and have continued to be as active as possible. For many years I continued to play ice hockey, and was actually a pretty good skater; however, I’m sure my mobility was limited, as I have very limited flexibility in my feet. I stopped playing hockey because I became active in triathlons (there was not enough time to do both). I was an average triathlete and, although I don’t compete any more (running on that pavement is very painful), I still manage to run approximately 20-25 miles per week on the treadmill, which is MUCH easier on my feet. I also still do some biking and swimming. I have been able to remain active because I have really tried to find the right “formula” for me. For example, I wear orthotics. However, obtaining the right orthotics was not easy. I went to three different podiatrists, with each providing different types of orthotics. The third doctor was very successful in finding what was right for me. Also, I cannot stress how helpful a glucosamine-chondroitin supplement has been for me. It really helps alleviate my foot pain. Also, I take a couple of anti-inflammatorys (i.e., Advil, Aleve, etc.) each morning. I know this is not ideal, but it does help. I have many other things to discuss; perhaps I’ll add another entry in the future. Thanks. |
| Comment added by : TOYA on the 02 Jul 2007 at 08:18am |
| I WAS BORN WITH A LEFT CLUB FOOT.MY LEFT CALVE IS SMALLER THAN THE RIGHT CALVE.MY FEET ALSO.I WOULD LIKE INFORMATION ON HOW TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM.IS CALF AUGMENTATION THE ONLY WAY? I DIDN'T REALIZE SO MANY PEOPLE HAD THE SAME CONCERNS THAT I DO.I AM EXTREMELY ACTIVE I WAS ON THE TRACK TEAM IN HS.IM 25 AND I HAVE A DAUGHTER AND SHE DOES NOT HAVE CLUB FOOT. |
| Comment added by : lesley martinez on the 25 Jun 2007 at 15:19pm |
| my son was born with a serve case of club feet. the doctors started casing his feet when he was 5 days old. once a week for a year he was in and out of castand braces.but this seem ot only work a little. he is now 3 yaers old he complains about his feet hurtting some days.the doctors have sugestted sugry but i have haerd alot of people say they have more pain wiht this. i also have a 2 year old he dose not have clubbed feet.but his feet and my 3 year olds feet are the same size.out of four childern he is the only one that has clubbed feet. i was told that it is in the genes cause my father-in-law and brother-in laws have a mild case of clubedd feet. but if any one has any sugest about a treatment that dose not invole surgry plese email me at wildchild6431@yahoo.com .as for the pain i sugest soaking the feet in warmm water for 30 min a day then dring and outting on heavey socks.dose anyone eles have problems finding shoes to fit. if you know a good store for shoe please let me know . |
| Comment added by : Kristen Sigler on the 21 Jun 2007 at 12:58pm |
| I was born with 2 club feet. I was in casts and braces for the 2 first years of my life and had several surgeries. My ankles/feet still don't look normal. The past couple of years, I have pain on a daily basis from arthritis. Surgery has been suggested by a few doctors. So far, I have not heard anything that would convince me to do it. |
| Comment added by : liza on the 19 Jun 2007 at 01:38am |
| 33 year old born with bilateral clubfeet have had 19 surgeries. last two being ankle fusions and each foot. right ankle done first by way of internal screws about 5 years ago. I recommend this method myself. much less painful. left ankle done about 2 years ago by way of external fixator. wish i had never done this one i have more pain now than ever in this leg. not only did the fixator cause pain while it was on but now i have pain not only in my foot but my leg and hips as well. |
| Comment added by : Melanie on the 09 Jun 2007 at 21:35pm |
| I was born with clubfoot and not only are my feet and calves different sizes but so are my hips and thighs. Does anyone else have this problem? |
| Comment added by : Lisa Bennett on the 03 Jun 2007 at 23:06pm |
| I was born with 2 clubfeet. I am 38 years old. I had several operations when I was younger to correct them. Now for the last couple of years my feet (particularly my ankles, hurt constentily from arthritis) My orthopedic doctor recommended ankle fusion but that I would loose movement in my ankles after they were fused, but that I would also have alot of relief from the arthrits. I really don't have that much flexability in my ankles anyway, so I don't know why this sounds so scary to me to have done, it can't possibly make my pain worse. Has anyone out their had ankle fusion before? |
| Comment added by : Nancy on the 02 Jun 2007 at 00:26am |
| I was born with bilateral clubfeet and I am now 62 years old. I was placed in cast at the age of 2 weeks, and had my first surgery on both feet at the age of 5 and again at 12 years of age. I now have osteoarthritis of the left foot and yes my feet hurt, BUT, I do just about most anything I want to do and I feel blessed for being able to walk. |
| Comment added by : Mary on the 25 May 2007 at 23:08pm |
| I was born with clubfeet . I am now 26 and have had several operations . None of them were sucsessful in my opinion . The chances are slim that your other children will also be born with clubfeet . I am the youngest out of 3 children and neither of my siblings havr clubfeet . I also have childen who also do not have clubfeet . It is very painful and makes working hard . I stand 8 hours a day . I was tured down for disability . I have never met anyone that has a worse case of clubfeet as I do . my right leg is thinner then my left leg , my right foot is smaller then my left anI tend to walk on the outside of my feet . Untill I was about 10 I also walked with my feet turned inward . Everyday is a challenge . |
| Comment added by : Angela Banff on the 23 May 2007 at 19:54pm |
| My son was born withh bilateral clubbed feet. He was casted weekly from 5 days old until surgery at 8weeks to lenghten the tendon. He was recasted for 6 weeks then he strated with the Ponsetti braces. He is now 11 months old. None of this has slowed him down- he's almost walking! We are happy with his progress. My only question is, what are the chances of me having another baby with the same disorder? I believe his cause was positional as opposed to genetic. |
| Comment added by : Kate Felix on the 21 May 2007 at 18:07pm |
| I was born in Canada in 1947 with a left club foot. Because I was treated with casts, braces and special shoes my leg is shorter and foot smaller. At age twelve I had an operation (the procedure was never properly explained to me) but it did seem to help. I went on to do gymnastics, swim, dance and generally lead an active life. I have been vigilant about not gaining weight. Two weeks ago, I had mid tarsal fusion surgery to which should help to relieve pain associated with osteo arthritis. I look forward to the challenge of getting back to my active self. |
| Comment added by : Brittany Mckinney on the 21 May 2007 at 14:50pm |
| i was born with club feet. and my left foot is about 3-4 sizes smaller than my right foot. i have never been able to stand in heels for a long period of time. i am 16 now and i still have some problems with my feet. i need one more surgery to fix my left foot because it is still turned inward. they say that with my next surgery i will have less mobility with it and it won't be as strong as it is now. i have been a cheerleader since i was in 1st grade. now i am a freshman in high school and am still able to do it but once in awhile the pain does get really intense. i am some amazing frinds that don't care that i have it and they help me out alot with it. i don't know whati would do without them. my amazing bf care alot for me and doesn't care that i have this. he loves me just the way i am...i love you guys! |
| Comment added by : christine harford on the 07 May 2007 at 05:16am |
| my son has club feet it runs in my family my grada had it but they couldn't do nothing for him years ago so he couldn't walk with out these boots and his feet were still the same turn in my son had surgery when he was just 8 weeks old it was so hard two see him go true that so young i wish it was me but now he is 10 months old and his feet are looking grate he still not crallin yet he only stated sittin up a week ago now he werein boots he weres a bar acorse them at night i dont want him two go throgh surgry again so im tryin my best with them doin wat the dotor saids but i can only do me best |
| Comment added by : jeffrey reddick on the 05 May 2007 at 23:48pm |
| hello every body. i was reading all the comments everybody wrote. and it made me happy to know that i wasn't the only person going through this problem. and that i could relate to everything you good people r saying. i am a 19 year old boy name jeffrey. i was also born with both of my feet clubbed. and yes people would make fun of me cause how i walked and still do. they would say i walk like a old man. one boy used to call me frog cause my legs isn't straight like a normal person. and yes it got to me sometimes i would go n the room and cry and say why me god. my legs r real skinny i have a lot of sergery scars on my feet. on one of my legs they had to take a bone out of my legs and use it for my ankle. i never wear shorts cause i am ashamed of my feet. and it's like one of my feet is normal. but the other one isn't it's like it is kinda crooked. and i love to dance but certain things i cant do. like stand on my tippy toes. one foot i can but the other i cant. o yeah the also used to call me skinny legs. and they say i run funny when i run fast. but the rest of me is fine. i am a very sexy boy with a very nice body. i would love to talk to u guys so feel free to e-mail me if that doesn't work u could leave a comment on hear i read them every day. thank u. u guys r good people c u later. |
| Comment added by : Rebecca DeLaSalle on the 04 May 2007 at 09:49am |
| My daughter, 11, was born with Bi-lat club feet and has multiple surgeries on her feet. Her left foot is severe and the surgery was not successful. The presenting problem is that she has constant pain in the left foot and this is made worse, I think, because we are having a hard time getting her shoes. She will not wear her brace and can't find any "cool" shoes. We can barely afford to buy two pairs of shoes for each style ie tennis shoes, church shoes and school shoes. Does anyone have any suggestions what I can do to help her. Her right foot is a 4 and her left foot is a 13-1. Thank you in advance. |
| Comment added by : Hillary on the 17 Apr 2007 at 22:54pm |
| I am 19. I was born with a right clubbed foot. I had corrective surgery, but I statred having pain in my teens. It is getting unbearable to work all day long. I have to ice my foot often. the pain comes and goes, but worsens when the weather is rainy. I am considering another surgery. My God has been merciful through the whole thing!! |
| Comment added by : Eric J Miller on the 07 Apr 2007 at 21:17pm |
| I'm 52 & a Bi-lit club foot & had the casts from shortly after birth, this caused my head to deformed .IE back my head is very flat. Also use the The brown bar & had many many cast changes every 10-days to two weeks for three to four years...dad was in the service thank god for that! Today I have "PTTD" The tendons are detached from tibia? spelling??...anyway I worked as laborer for many years & was able to get a L&I pension due to the fact that I was assaulted @ work & that was the straw that broke this camels back...I'm in pain 24/7 with bi-lat pain that goes down both legs into feet & now my feet are numb in the ball area...& I thought I had it bad...after reading what some have had to put up with...The older I get the worse off I am... that's for sure...I use boots & special insoles to help but walking or standing absolutely kills me & if do that for more than about 20-30 minutes I have to take the next several days off due to pain! I guess I should add that I had trouble in school I did poor @ First until the field was a level one in that I learned to read & write & math skills...in hi-school I did fine...& went to college the state sent me for re-training...I fooled them In one year I got my AA deg. & made the dean's list every quarter & ended with a 3.65 avg! a two year degree in 1 year...but it was easy when your having only to compete with 17-18 old punks who don't care! the state & my employer said that I was to stupid to go to school!I hope this helps others thanks Eric |
| Comment added by : Joy Hayes on the 27 Mar 2007 at 17:04pm |
| I have identical twin sons who were both born with severe bilateral clubbed feet. The orthopaedist placed casts on their feet at 5 days old, keeping them until they were 5 years old with numerous surgeries in between. We found out subsequent to all of the surgergies that the twins had spina bifida occulta and that clubbed feet usually go hand in hand with spina bifada. The children began kindergarten with all milestones of development being reached appropriately. Upon entrance into school, they had difficulty learning. They were examined by the school psychometrist and were found to be mildly mentally retarded. I then had them tested at the University of South Alabama Medical Genetics and Birth Defects Center where the doctors reached the conclusion after numerous physical tests that the only thing they could say caused their mental disability was the lack of physical movement for so long....they couldn't walk....couldn't scoot, etc. The twins are 31 years old now and because of their mental disability have to work at physical labor type jobs which taxes their already weak bodies. They have scoleosis as well and I admire them for their constitution! They are my heros! |
| Comment added by : John Smith on the 25 Mar 2007 at 08:09am |
| I am nearly 50 years old and had an awful time at school with my club foot (right foot). Children can be so cruel and I was called "peg-leg" regularly. My father and an uncle and a niece all had a clubfoot so I am convinced it is genetic. I had two surgeries in my first three years of life and had plaster casts and calipers for a long while. I have two large scars and hardly any calf muscle. I had physio until I started high school. This involved (of all things)trying to pick pencils up with my toes, which I could never do. Thank heavens my four children do not have club feet. Once I reached high school and could wear long trousers it became much better for me. I have never told any work colleagues or employers about my problem. However, I have now been diagnosed with arthritis in my foot and have lots of aches and pains now I am older. I wondered, is club foot recognised in th UK as a disability? How do I go about registering it as such? I feel I should be able to be a bit more choosy about my employment these days. I have often been a machine operator and had to stand on concrete floors for 10 hours a day. I feel I need to be able to go to the employment office (when my current contract ends later this year)and hold out for a desk job without having my benefits reduced for refusing work. What do other people suggest please? Regards John. |
| Comment added by : Gary Mcdonald on the 23 Mar 2007 at 10:50am |
| Im 17 with club feet (both) im very able to do anything i want but its more self consios stuff that i wory about... im currently body building and doing well with my feet.. i want to no if the feet get worse as you grow up... im due another operation in a couple of years |
| Comment added by : Heather Hopkins on the 22 Mar 2007 at 01:54am |
| I was born with severe clubfeet 29 years ago, my feet were turned upsidedown and toes pointing up i was put in casts mearly hours age and surgery about 3 times i still can't stand at my job without pain infact my left foot still at times point inwards. But I am luck then some because i can walk and do things that people didn't think i could. They said that i had the worse case that they saw in my city and its a miracle i can walk |
| Comment added by : Elvira Cedeno on the 20 Mar 2007 at 23:00pm |
| I got severe club feet. Most of the time I suffer for severe pain. I can't walk a lot because on the next day I have to be in bed for the all day because I can't support the pain and I can't stand up. I'm 30 years old and I would like to do a lot of things that my condition don't let me do. I just want to find out if I need another surgery but my parents missed the documentation of my surgery fron 29 years ago. I want to find out too if I can apply for SSI because I don' know if that condition could be elegible. FROM ADMIN Please do not give out Email Address, or Personal Details for security reasons. |
| Comment added by : Erik M on the 16 Mar 2007 at 01:02am |
| I was born with club feet, my right being more sever than my left. My feet were cast immediately after birth to try and correct them but it was unsuccessful. I have had seven surgeries on my feet through out my life (I am now 21). The first surgery was when I was about one month old, doctors cut the backs of my ankles open and cut the tendons in order to lengthen them, of course this lengthening took several surgeries five to be exact. After that in second grade my right and more sever foot was cut open and bone was removed in order to straighten out my toes. The surgery was a success unfortunately it left my right foot about two shoe sizes shorter than my left. My last surgery was in eighth grade, my right heel was curving inward and a wedge shaped piece of bone was removed in order to straighten it out. Despite all the surgeries my club feet have never held me back, there is often pain in my feet but I have learned to deal with it. I have found however as I get older the pain in my tendons is worsening this dose effect me as I rock climb as a hobby but it will not stop me. |
| Comment added by : Cassie Ann on the 12 Mar 2007 at 16:53pm |
| i was born with the Equinovarus clubbed feet (both feet). Now i am 15 years old and to me i am doing great. i had surgery when i was younger and casts. My feet are very small i range from a 5-6 1/2. I am in a range do sports i have been doing its seems to be all my life (Golf, cheerleading, dance, figure skating). my latest visit to my doctor told me that i should do more sports without using my feet. I didn't follow those orders so now i live with my choices. Its hard for, because its like you could never tell anything wrong with me until you see my bare feet, then people just stare. Im fine, i don't think they understand what you feel, its pretty much like a constant ache that you learn to live with and you kind of become proned to feeling it unless you really think about it. And being in high school and goin to formals and proms its really hard to find a shoe that fits becuase of haveing clubbed feet my feet are very wide and fat and i have really skinny shins. But day to day i am happy with where i am, and everything i do and proud of it. |
| Comment added by : Renee on the 11 Mar 2007 at 16:16pm |
| I was also born with bilateral clubbed feet. Mine come from a congenital nerve disorder called Mobius Syndrome. Most people that have Mobius will have clubbed feet. Lucky me, huh?lol. I had all of the usual things; casting from day one, bar between the legs, special shoes and surgery (calcaneo cuboid fusion and achilles tendon lengthening). When I was 19 I found out that I had developed severe arthritis especially in my right foot and had to have ankle fusions on both feet as well as sub talor fusions. I have never been able to walk as much as everyone else and now with my ankles being fused, my mobility is further compromised. But I can still walk. I just have to really be careful as to how much. My only regret about the surgeries, not that I had a choice as a baby..lol. is that my feet are very small and my calves are atrophied and small. I wear a size 4 in childrens on up to a 6 1/2 in womens. I can't wear high heels or any heel at all and now my feet are flat as a pancake. This is due in part to stubborness and not listening to my podiatrist. My advice to young people is to listen to your doctor!! If they tell you you can't wear a certain type of shoe or you have to wear orthotics, just wear them!! It's not worth not being able to walk later in life and it's not worth the pain by being stubborn. At the same time, if something honestly doesn't work for you then let them know so they can try something else. Communication is sooo important. Also, I encourage parents to seek both the advice of a podiatrist and an orthopedist. They never agree with eachother but at least you'll get a different viewpoint...lol. Having clubbed feet is not the end of the world. |
| Comment added by : Victoria on the 26 Feb 2007 at 00:29am |
| My 13 year old son was born with bilaterial club feet. We found the best doctors and casted him until 6 mos. then had two surgeries (3 yrs & 6yrs) Although he has some stiffness he is doing AWESOME! He plays on a club basketball team, has been named MVP for his school volleyball team 3 years in a row and is an excellent tennis player. We see his orthopedic doc. 2 x a year and he goes to physical therapy 2 x a week. I encourage everyone to find a good physical therapist that has really helped my son learn how to properly stretch his feet and ankles. It has been the best thing for him and not one doctor even recommended it, we had to repeaditly ask for it and now after going for over 1 year the doctor has agreed it was the best thing we could do for our son. He is an impressive athlete, but more importantly he is a great kid that has not let this slow him down at all. He is just like every other kid in his middle school. I recommend any parent dealing with this to find the best doctors - ones that currently work with kids with club feet and also find a good Physical Therapist. Good luck! It will be ok!!My sons calves are smaller then others but has not seemed to bother him at all. Just remind your kid how great they are and be there biggest cheerleader. It will all be ok!!!Good Luck!! |
| Comment added by : Madison on the 24 Feb 2007 at 14:54pm |
| My little brother was born with double club feet. He went up to Iowa City when he was only three days old and was treated BY DR.PONSETI HIMSELF using the Ponseti Method. He went through all the casts and the brace and you can't tell AT ALL that he ever had club feet. Dr. Ponseti was so kind and gentle. There was never any surgey done at all on him. THose of you who are saying you used the Ponseti Method of casts and corrective shoes, but then also had surgery doesn't make sense. The whole point of the Ponseti Method is to not use surgery because of the pain and stiffness it has been proven to cause later in life.I want everyone to know that if you are going to have a baby with clubbed feet, GO TO DR.PONSETI!!! He is at the University of Iowa hospital in IOwa City. He has been doing this for fifty+ years and it has been proven 95% successful. (Not only do my brother's feet look normal but he is fast! He also plays soccer.) |
| Comment added by : Glendafaye Gray on the 22 Feb 2007 at 13:45pm |
| My cousins baby now 7 wks. was born with clubbed feet... He is today getting the Ponseti Method done to his little legs ... I haven't heard any word from them yet .. I hope he is okay .... |
| Comment added by : Teresa Beavers on the 16 Feb 2007 at 14:48pm |
| I have a newphew just born early this AM with a clubbed foot (left). Can anyone give my sister advice on a GOOD DOCTOR in the ATLANTA, GA area. |
| Comment added by : Annette on the 15 Feb 2007 at 13:59pm |
| My son was born with severe club feet,he was in casts for the first 8 months of his life, he was then operated on at 4.5 months. His left foot is more severe than the right. He is 12 years old now and when growing up he was treated no different. My son now plays competitive hockey in the winter, and competitive baseball in the summer. As he is growing his balance does not seem to be as good. He will go for a check-up this month. I hope all is OK. Good Luck to you All |
| Comment added by : MELISSA BURDETTE on the 13 Feb 2007 at 11:29am |
| My 3 year old daughter had her second surgery today on her left clubbed foot. I can only hope that the benefits out-weigh the risks. It was really hard to make this decision (4 out of 5 doctors recommended it) It seems from the postings that no matter what we do that there will most likely be pain associated with the condition. My main concern lies with if there will be more pain associated with the surgery later versus the pain associated with clubbed foot in general. Ayslynn immediately upon birth began manipulations and casting. then had a tendon release at 4 months. She wore dennis brown bar from 6 mos-1 year. She tends to do well other than falling more often than my other 5 children. As much research that I have done seems to all point to really the persons self perception of the problem, and their own tolerance for pain. We just call her left foot her smaller one, and (if you buy shoes at walmart, check to make sure the sizes match!!!!)get her 2 different sizes of the same shoe(otherwise she falls alot more...guess i wont have to worry about that for the next couple of months.) Her first doctor tried to put limitations on her...she'll never do this or that ect. we believe that perhaps her 100% just might be someone elses 125%!!! We refuse to allow this to be any excuse to keep her from anything she wants. good luck to all and always do what you as a parent thinks whats best! |
| Comment added by : Christi Lykins on the 12 Feb 2007 at 03:29am |
| My daughter was born with clubbed feet. She went through casting and has surgery when she was 4 months old. She is now 14. We have never discouraged her from trying anything. She has always been involved in sports. She pitches fast=pitch softball, plays basketball and cheered. She has in the past couple of years started getting stress fractures in her feet and the surgeon always knows when its softball season!!!! She has gotten to that terrible teen stage though, where now she is embarrassed of her feet and sometimes feeling sorry for herself! This is really tuff on me as well as her. She is not able to wear the "cute" shoes like her sister and she has bad scars. If anyone as any advice that has been through this, I would greatly appreciate your input! She is having a really rough time. Her feet are very abnormal looking and its hard to find shoes. |
| Comment added by : sonny on the 10 Feb 2007 at 06:50am |
| i am 24 and have a very physical job both my feet were ''club'' had cast and operations and my feet are fine, sometimes bit sore depending on weather but nothing to tough. by the sounds of it it only gets worse from here on in. lol. |
| Comment added by : ELIZABETH on the 07 Feb 2007 at 15:35pm |
| My daughter was born with clubfeet. She had her first operationat age 6 months, 2nd operation at 5 years, and unfortunate now at 9 years is going to have another operation. She has had 2 operations on her left foot snf 1 on her right. Now she will be going in again for her left foot. She complains of pain, and she plays and runs inward. She went to therapy and that's when they noticed that the nside of her shoes are worn out more than the outside. S he goes through shoes every 2 months. I have been strong for her, but she feels like "why me?". It has stressed both of us but we need to do this until she feels fine. The doctor says she need surgery onboth but her being young and stills growing the don't feel like she needs major surgery until she gets a little older due to her age and growing. This surgery will be mainl on her left foot. They say it needs more works than her right foot. Maybe with this surgery she will feel a little relax until later on.I was shocked when she was born but I have faith that it will be cured. For at least her sake! We will keep the faith and I hope you will too! |
| Comment added by : roy scutro on the 03 Feb 2007 at 16:00pm |
| I've looked at the various medical websites, and they definately downplay the long-term effects of club feet. It was interesting to read about the various cases listed here, and what sort of outcomes they have had. I am 57 years old, and had bilateral club feet repaired by multiple surgeries and casts as a very young child. My feet are smaller than average, misshapen with an unusually high arch and protruding ankle, and have some limited range of motion. Overall, I've been fortunate, however. My two older brothers also had club feet, and neither had outcomes as good as mine. I can downhill ski, hike, and have only rare arthritic pain. I have some balance limitations, and can't, for example, ice skate or do things in which my feet have to be maintained exactly flat to the ground. |
| Comment added by : Kay Yats on the 31 Jan 2007 at 23:20pm |
| I was born with club feet, and Im 50 yrs old now. Neither of my parents had club feet but my father did have a cleft pallete. I have 4 children and none of them have club feet. I had casts as a baby, wore the bar, and some weird shoes. I don't remember it being a problem until I had surgery at 10. After surgery I have had pain always thats increased with age. The doctor that has been helping me the last few years believes the surgery I had was more harmful than helpful except for the Achilles lengthening. I'm not sure what it was called but I read the report since I've been older and it said they did something called capsulotomies. My feet are still quite curved, very high arches, and have arthritis of course. The flexibility was compromised by the surgery and that is alot of my pain. I have had 3 more surgeries in the last few years in attempt to correct some of the old surgery consequences and to stretch my achilles again and remove sections of bones that are rubbing on others. My right foot did well, the left hasn't. Last time I had to have my plantar fascia tendon just cut free. It was so tight it was extemely painful. It has been really hard to readjust to this and it is painful in a different way. My feet have a huge impact on my life and I feel sad when I think about never being able to ski or skate or run again. I could do all of those things as a child and I think the surgery I had at 10 (in 1966) did alot of harm to me. If you have a child, just really research what treatment you choose. I'm sure they are progressive these days but the less invasion the better I believe. It would have been easier to adjust to my toed in feet than this devastation. Thanks for listening. |
| Comment added by : Annett M on the 31 Jan 2007 at 06:46am |
| I was born with club feet, over 40 years ago. Had extensive surgery from about 6 months of age. If I can reassure parents of a child with this condition please know this. I am by any standard extremely successful. The condition did not hinder me if anything it made me more determined to succeed. I walk tall, actually am about 5.6 so it does not necessarily mean that you do to grow. For your child it will be up to you to state that nothing is impossible and look forward and not down at your feet. PS never suffer from pain in either of my feet. Exercise including swimming really helped in the early years. |
| Comment added by : Stephen Tyler on the 30 Jan 2007 at 06:33am |
| i was born with serve club feet both left and right feet but i am now in the military and serving my country.... sure it was harder then others physically but by just working out my calfs and ankels i did the impossible compared to what the doctors said just know anything is possibe no matter what anyone say, sure my legs are smaller then others but i think it help me run faster.keep your head up,use what you have. |
| Comment added by : Liana Faircloth on the 23 Jan 2007 at 16:42pm |
| My daughter Hannah was born with both feet clubbed. I am not sure what the long turm problems are going to be; I hope she doesn't have to much pain down the road. So far her feet are looking really well. She will be going in for her third casting tomarrow. |
| Comment added by : ASHLEY on the 21 Jan 2007 at 14:49pm |
| I have a left clubbed foot and im 15 years old . My left calf is smaller then my right and i hate it my foot is actually pretty good. I dont have any pain in it or anything like that but i hate the fact that i cant go to the beach because im assamed of my left calv and i never wear shorts unless its around the house. Im really interested in becoming a model because im at the right size and perfect features but im not even gona bother because of my calf my foot is good and i have no complains about that it gives me no problems. But the calf is smaller then my right leg and it sucks to live life this way. My legs are the same lenght also. Im really athletic and i quite all the sports i was in because of my leg . If any one knows any where or any way i can strenghten or work out my calf please send me an email at : ************ |
| Comment added by : Jenny Hollibaugh on the 17 Jan 2007 at 16:33pm |
| I have a 3 year old son who was born with severe bilateral club feet in March of 2004. I found this out at my 20 week ultrasound while I was pregnant with him. He started casting at 3 days old and we went weekly to have them changed and repositioned. At 8 weeks old he had surgery on both feet to lengthen his achilles tendon. After the surgery he was in casts again for several weeks, then transitioned to his Dennis Brown bar which he wore for 6 weeks all the time. After that, he was to wear the 'bar' at night only. He was not a good sleeper from early on, and my husband and I truly believe it has something to do with all the 'stuff' on his feet at night. But, he did walk at 12 months and is an extremely bright, energetic and inquisitive child. Next week we go for his next surgery to fix the tendons that are pulling his feet in. Something about pulling them out and tying them to a button on the bottom of his feet. After that, he will have 6 more weeks of casts...then not sure what's to come! I just had an ultrasound today because I am 20 weeks pregnant with our second child... and guess what? This baby also has severe bilateral club feet. We are sad that another one of our children have to go through this but thankful that it's not something worse. |
| Comment added by : Mike on the 27 Dec 2006 at 14:37pm |
| I am 28 years old and was born with bilateral clubbed feet. I underwent surgery and casting (daily) for the fist 6 months of my life. I had more surgery at 4 years old and wore special leg braces to bed until I was around 9 years old. I have very small feet and am beginning to suffer from arthritis in both feet and ankles. I have been a Police Officer for 4 years and I try to run a few miles at a time a few times a week. I have recently been treating the arthrits and researching orthotics to be placed into my shoes to alleviate the pain. Until very recently I have just lived with the pain and stiffness instead of seeking out treatment. I find it very hard to find shoes that are suitable for running and for my work, and when I do find these shoes I wear them out within a matter of weeks. I have been told that I may experience stress fractures in my feet from the excesive running, however I am encouraged by this site and the fact that there are several professional atheletes who have had club feet. I have always had to work harder to make my runs and to do the things I need to do in my work, but what is life without a challenge? I am interested in what will come in terms of future treatment because I know that as I age my arthritis and limited mobility will become more pronounced. I am encouraged to see that people who have lost limbs all-together have gone on to run marathons and to be employed in a capacity like mine. I wonder if this technology could be used in the future to help people with club feet who would choose an artificial limb over their existing ones. Please feel free to e-mail me with questions, comments, and ecspecially suggetions for me. Mike Bronx, NY //Admin Note Having Email Address on this website will cause you to Receive Spam. Please add comments here. |
| Comment added by : Sam on the 22 Dec 2006 at 11:54am |
| Hi, I have read many comments above. I have a daughter whom was born with two club feetover 36 years ago. Casting was done from day she was born and it was not effective. Then it was the shoes with the bar in the middle where the degrees of the shoe could be changed for each foot. That failed so surgery was done at 2 1/2 yrs using a monkey achilles tenden. After several years of casting, braces and lots of home therapy, her feet are 95 per cent corrected. There use to be pain in her feet as she was growing because of the weather. Through the years it has ceased. Now she has baby that has been born with club feet. I was told when I had her it was caused by a lining in my stomach which prevented more room for her to grow. The lining is like that in a cow's stomach. Having a child with club feet can be heart breaking, sleepless nights and more pain for you then the child. My daughter was almost eleven years old before we got rid of all casts, braces and the wheelchair. She was so happy to get her first pair of pretty shoes! For those of you not knowing if your child has club feet, contact a Shriner in your area. They will evaluate the child and follow up details with you. There is no charge for the treatment the child receives but they do ask if you can pay something do so. Those of you with insurance company coverage, get the child check out to verify the medical DX. Club feet is a slow process for correction and it begins with YOU getting the medical help. Don't deny the child the correction and do follow the instructions by the doctor to the fullest. Have a Happy Holiday. |
| Comment added by : Sandy Mike on the 12 Dec 2006 at 16:28pm |
| My son was born with a clubbed foot, he had surgery to correct it when he was 3 months and now being 8yrs old has always had pain in his foot. It ranges from the change of weather or running too much, and so on. There really isn't much I can do for him, I usually use A535 then wrap with a tensor bandage. He knows his limits and how much he can actually play on it. Something so positive to let everyone know is he plays hockey in the winter with normal skates, as well as playing ball in the summer time(ofcourse running abit slower) but never the less he can still do all of this because he is so determined. Alot of times he is in pain(mostly winter months)and I feel for him. I wish I could just take the pain away. If you have a similar story or advise please email me. Thanks |
| Comment added by : Tracey Lewis on the 07 Dec 2006 at 09:01am |
| My son Danny was born with two clubfeet, he had 5weeks of casts and then he was put into his boots and bar, I found that really hard work, he had them on for 3 months and then just at night time, he is know one year and he hates them being on, but me and my husband keeps trying.He is know walking and we are over the moon how well he is walking. What are my chances of my second child having club feet any body know? |
| Comment added by : monika on the 05 Dec 2006 at 14:10pm |
| I am 33 yrs old.I was born with both feet clubed.I was cast right away.At about a year I had what was called the cincinati cut done on both feet.I do not know if I spelled that right.Ithen wore braces on my legs.I grew to be an athlete and live a normal life with minimal pain.I notice a lump on left heel behind my anckle about a month ago.I found out today that my achilles tendon is in risk of rupturing due to wear and tear.I also have now what is called Hagland Deformity.I may be back in a cast and have to do the lengthing surgary again.For the past year it has been hard for me to get going in the morning to walk.I have to "warm up" my feet.Everyone keep your head up..there is hope for your little ones out there. |
| Comment added by : HESTER HARMER on the 01 Dec 2006 at 04:02am |
| My daughter were born with severe clubfeet in both feet. We went with the ponseti method at first, but after four monhts her doctor dicided its best to go the operation route. She is now 9 years old, and we take it one step at a time. She has had four operations to date, and she can walk ,run and her feet are straight, she does suffer from pain from time to time, but it helps to exercise the mucles by holding on to a couch and pushing the feet forward and backwards. She also have to wear very hard inersoles made from plaster, witch brake the skin and can cause severe blisters, i use sergical spirits to strenghten the skin, this can dry the skin severly, so remember to use a good moisterising cream twice a day.I hope some of this information will help. |
| Comment added by : shani on the 28 Nov 2006 at 21:16pm |
| My daughter ****** Rose was born with severe club feet. We are using the ponseti method and she has developed pressure sores on both ankles and her feet are very swollen. She is very unsettled most of the time and i am wondering if many mums find it difficult at times to settle their little ones. Is there anything i can put on the sores to help relieve the pain |
| Comment added by : JENNIFER MILES on the 27 Nov 2006 at 17:09pm |
| My son is 6 months.His feet get puffy and does his thighs.Certain socks make it worse.My sisters a doctor and she says it might be club feet.My doctor says its nothing?Any opinion??? |
| Comment added by : Jennifer Baugher on the 26 Nov 2006 at 20:43pm |
| My son was born with bilateral clubbed feet. He went through serial casting beginning at 11 hours of age through 10 weeks of age. He then was placed in a Dennis-Brown bar from 10 weeks to 17 months. He mainly needed to sleep in the device at night after 11 months of age. Today, he is 2 1/2 years old and has had no lasting effects from his clubbed feet. His feet do not look exactly like a "normal" child's feet look, but to our family, they are beautiful. He manages to run faster and play harder than most others his age, and he has had the opportunity to help educate others about clubbed feet. I visit with parents in our local hospital who have had infants born with clubbed feet, and they are all happy to see that he is happy and as adept at doing whatever he wants. |
| Comment added by : ginna mercer on the 25 Nov 2006 at 01:08am |
| well,i'm 11 and when i was born i had both my feet in surgery at 7 months old because I had club feet and it's hard because you have scars and everyone asks what happened.I can't do sports except swimmimng.My last appointment was in shreveport ,la.I go once a year.They tell me to keep doing my excercises.So until they tell me to stop doing them i will just have to keep going and hearing them say the same thing.oh ya im walking and they did an amazing job!!!! |
| Comment added by : Vinni on the 22 Nov 2006 at 11:24am |
| My nephew has just 3 days old, both his feet are turned in and down slightly, the docs say its not clubbed but just the way he was lying in the womb, anyone similar situations or any votes of encouragement as im very nieve to this! cheers guys |
| Comment added by : Linda Lane on the 21 Nov 2006 at 14:48pm |
| I was born with a club foot and did not know until after age 50, my parents just told me. Apparently they only did massage and straightening themselves because they didn't have money when I was a child. You can't tell by just looking at my feet but I have so much pain in my right foot that I have problems walking, especially in the ankle. The pain radiates all the way to the knees. I wonder if this is a reprocussion from this childhood problem? |
| Comment added by : Leshawn Williams on the 21 Nov 2006 at 10:52am |
| I think that my brother has clubfeet. It is very hard for him to walk and run. |
| Comment added by : Lori on the 19 Nov 2006 at 19:51pm |
| hi im lori i have trouble climbing staircase and staduim stairs am i only one? i have club foot im 29 |
| Comment added by : nita storer on the 18 Nov 2006 at 08:15am |
| my son was born with both feet clubed. he just went through his second set of surgerys and we will see what the results are this monday. i will write and let everyone know. |
| Comment added by : Michelle on the 04 Nov 2006 at 14:17pm |
| I have a nine year old son who was born with clubbed feet. One was a true clubbed foot, dwarfed, and underdeveloped, while the other was clubbed due to the position in the womb. The foot that was fully developed was corrected with about 2 years of casting, where the other had to have the tendon cut and stretched. The surgery was performed at Shriners Hospital in Sacramento and I am so grateful for that as they are the best. My son has begun to turn his foot again and we are watching him closley. He has also developed an Achiles Heel on his bad foot and wears a gel insert to help cushion that heel. He has always been a tad clumsy and uncoordinated and I have always contrubuted it to the lack of development in his right leg. He hops or gallops instead of running, and he cant stand on one leg etc. I have also heard that with clubbed feet come other "complications or medical problems" and this has me worried as my son is now being tested for Asperger Syndrome. When describing "other Medical problems" do they stricly mean physical problems or can it include Autism, etc. also.? I would love to have anyone e-mail me that could answer this question, or that might be experiencing the same thing. ************ |
| Comment added by : Karen on the 03 Nov 2006 at 11:00am |
| My daughter was born with club feet that they never seen it till she was 2. She now has pain all the time and she is only 7. Dont know where to go from here. She dose where specail things in her shoes. Is there anything they can do for this now?? If anyone know please let me know. Thanks so much! |
| Comment added by : Michelle on the 01 Nov 2006 at 17:06pm |
| In responce to your question, "My sons orthopedic surgeon called me yesterday with a different method then surgery. The ponseti method. I don't know what method would be better for my son. If anyone has some suggestions please let me know at *******". My son was born with club feet also and he used the Ponseti Method and has done so well that you can't even tell he had it in the first place. He just saw a new doctor the other day and he was amazed at how well his feet looked. I would reccomend the Ponseti method to anybody. I was told that there is less chance of pain and other problems later in life if you use this method. |
| Comment added by : Sam on the 01 Nov 2006 at 10:25am |
| Hi all, I was born with Talipes in both feet, I was in casts and special boots for 4 years (a lot of good that did!) and had surgery at the age of 4. Over my early teen years I noticed that I got quite a lot of pain from walking and standing up...needless to say, now at 18 it has gotten worse, a few years ago one of my specialists told me that I was missing the vital padding required between my joints...so that would be the cause of my problems with joint pains, anyone else have anything similar?? - (some days I can't stand up because of walking slightly awkward the day previously...mostly its jsut pain when walking) - anyway, I’m going to see my specialist again in a few days to get some answers about what I should be expecting in the future, hopefully it won' be anything too depressing, I was already told I won't be able to work on my feet... ... ...there really should be some procedure to fix the pain problems rather than just the aesthetic ones. |
| Comment added by : Raymond Rathsack on the 01 Nov 2006 at 02:03am |
| I was born with club feet. When I was an infant I was admitted to the Shriner's Hospital and had them straightened. I am 28 and have severe Arthritis in my Right ankle. |
| Comment added by : Luke Wright on the 30 Sep 2006 at 05:16am |
| Hello my name is Luke and i was born with both of my feet extremely crooked. I had casts on both legs to my hips when i was three days old. Ilearned how to walk seven times. I'm not very well-read on alot of the "medical mumbo jumbo" but when i was born both of my feet were turned in on themselves 180 degrees,(like should have been 12 o clock but were more like 6 o'clock) and my feet were also turned on themselves that my pinky toes were touching the INSIDE of my ankles. I have seven surguries all together- 4 on my right foot and three on my left. The best way i can explain what they did to my feet is kind of like fiber-optic cables. The hundreds of optic(muscle) strands make up the big cable which would more or less be my tendons and calve muscles. The way I understand it is that had to go in and seperate each individual strand from the others to allow my muscles and tendons to lengthen and hopefully let my feet straighten up a bit. I've had the "Forrest Gump" braces, I've had the shoes with the bar accross the middle plastic G.I JOE style, my feet were pretty much screwed up hardcore. Having Clubbed Foot has been both a curse and a silverlining in my life--kindof bittersweet, if u can grasp that. I was really hard on me growing up-dealing with all the kida making fun of the way i walked-constantly having to have some crutches crammed under my arm---dealing with my dad coming home from a hard days work and crying with me while he stretched my feet out. The last surgury i had was when i was 5 (i'm 27 now) and i remember every minute of it--I actually woke up and saw my leg cut wide-open. That was pretty crazy. I ve got three surguries on coth feet an my achilies where they cut the back of my leg open from the heal to whats supposed to be the bottom of my calves(which "tie into" my legs way shorter than they should-- like ive only got three-quarters of my calves) and the seventh , maybe not in that order, is one that runs across the inside of my right foot from big-toe towards my heel. I have a little sister from the same parents and she only neeed to have one surgury on the inside of her left foot like from her toe to her heel. She only needed the one surguery and was ok after justthe one. I have two children and neither on of them have any sign of clubbed foot -what a relief- and my sisters baby is ok too. Now check this out-- mu mother's brother had the clubbed foot too. Now as to whether ornot it's got nething 2 do w genetics--im not sure, but always seemed like a good possibility in mu situation. Genetics.....Drugs.........no excercise for mom--who knows? The stories that i've came to accept, i guess, is that my mom was on alot of drugs and didn't move around much so--in-turn--I didn't move around much either and my feet "molded" to her rib cage. The last time i saw any kind of "professionals" I was 12 and went to the University in Portland and saw doctors who were flown in from around the country, and after they all had a chance to poke at me and discuss the situation tyhemselves, they decided that ne kind of surgury at that age would do more harm than good b-cuz of the growing i was gettin ready to do. Bummer for me. That was hard to deal with because i wnated my feet fixed, but the couldnt be. Just a couple of years ago i went and saw som small town doc and all he could do was give me a shot of cortizone which helped the pain, but not for long. Ive got a lot of my story to tell and woyuld like togive advice to ne 1 i could, but also would just like to talk to someone whos " walked a mile in my shoes. please write to me-- the name i use is vanlukenstein at a place where we could say the mail is really,really warm, I hope some od u can figure that one out. Please write if u want to hear more of my story, or if u think i can help. |
| Comment added by : Corinne on the 26 Sep 2006 at 13:41pm |
| Hi My name is Corinne and My son Jeremiah was born with club feet, both feet's were moderal level as they say.this is my first baby and although clubfeet is tough to deal with the casting, hopefully one surgery and i'm glad just only one surgery those times to go to Montreal at Shiner's Hospital It's the best of the best hospital for my son. I"m very glad I went there..Now My son wear those Shoes with the bar..sorry I don't know what they called.Well some of you knows what they are. he has to wear them til one years old at nights only. |
| Comment added by : Aaron on the 25 Sep 2006 at 21:19pm |
| Hello, I was born with severe club feet. I had surgery and pins placed in both feet along with multiple castings. Now I'm 30 and not doing all that bad. I have had pain over the years and now when working and standing for an hr or 2 I will be hurting that evening and into the next day. Sometimes I have to take some aspirin so I can get to sleep. Biggest thing is wearing very supportive shoes. I don't dare run bare foot anywhere or else I'll be limping for the next few days. One question is that my knees are starting to hurt really bad. Going up and down stairs I can really notice pain. Is this related to the club feet? I guess I should be thankful that I can walk and also am lucky to have had both club feet so that they are even and can wear short pants though my calves and ankles are much smaller than normal. |
| Comment added by : nina kirby on the 25 Sep 2006 at 06:09am |
| My daughter has club feet, apart from the pain after spending a lot of walking she knows how lucky she is compared to a lot of people although she has been through a lot in her short life,I am worried for her when she wants to wear normal shoes,she has one foot bigger than the other,and has to get shoes made to measure. |
| Comment added by : ana on the 24 Sep 2006 at 13:27pm |
| Hi my name is ana i am 20 weeks preagnant and my doctor just tol me my baby has club fee. As u can imagine i went crazy because i have two normal kids, my doctor toll me that some babies born with club feet could come with other complications if any body can send me any imformation i would apreciated. thank you |
| Comment added by : crystal on the 21 Sep 2006 at 16:25pm |
| I am curtainly 25 weeks pregnant and the doctor had told me that my baby has club feet and one is smaller than the other and one of the feet does not really have any bones. So what does all of that mean I have done all the research about that and I havent seen anything like what I have heard. Please if you could tell me a little more what will I have to do! |
| Comment added by : Sandra McDevitt on the 20 Sep 2006 at 19:23pm |
| Our son was born with a right club foot. He has had 3 surgerys since he was born starting at about 8 mos of age. He is now 4 yrs old. The first 2 surgerys involved lengthening the tendons in the foot and casting-this last time,just 2 months ago,involved breaking the bones in the foot at the toes and shaving of bone at the ankle as well as lengthening the tendons. There is a possibility of more surgery in time. His foot is about 1 size smaller than the left and the calf muscle in that leg does not develop properly, but without the surgerys he would not be able to walk as his foot was so severe. We thank God everyday for the miracles of the surgerys and the wonderful Dr. we have. Nothing has slowed our son down-he runs, jumps,climbs, plays ball and anything else a 4yr old would do and we look forward to him playing ball, running track or whatever he chooses to do as he grows up. He never complains of pain although we are sure that at times he is uncomfortable and of course the surgerys and castings are painfull and difficult but he takes it all in stride-he is like the energizer bunny. He was a late baby in out lives-we are in our mid 40's and have other grown healthy children without this problem. It was a shock to us to learn of the foot before he was born and never having seen a club foot it was painful to see it when he was born. But We feel extremely fortunate and blessed to have him. He himself is a blessing and sets an example for our entire family. As parents we would of course take this difficulty from him if we could but we will encourage him and not limit what he wants to do physically due to our fears for him. It is God's blessing to watch him everyday overcome the differences and difficulities with confidence and pride in his accomplishments.. In fact even though he is aware his foot looks different he treats it no different. If you have a child with a clubfoot or feet Just let them be themselves and encourage them in every way. Do what can be done medically, supply the emotional support, and Thank God for the blessings. |
| Comment added by : Carrie on the 12 Sep 2006 at 10:09am |
| Hi i am doing a project on clubfoot and i need to know what will happen to people in there 20's and up as a result of having clubfoot! if you can replay back it will be greatly appriciated |
| Comment added by : Kimberly Garrison on the 09 Sep 2006 at 12:24pm |
| My sons orthopedic surgeon called me yesterday with a different method then surgery. The ponseti method. I don't know what method would be better for my son. If anyone has some suggestions please let me know at ******* ADMIN: If you add your email address on here, u will get loads of spam, Please reply in a message, or send me an email, quoting this message, and I will pass the message on |
| Comment added by : sabrina chevetta mccullough on the 27 Aug 2006 at 03:04am |
| i was born with club feet, but my mother says they corrected themselves without braces or surgery. i am now 32 and the older i get, the more my legs and feet seem to hurt for no apparent reason. i was wondering if anyone could tell me if this would be a long-term effect of this condition. sometimes when i awake in the mornings the pain is so bad i have to lie back down. can someone please give me some input into this? I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE IT. THANKS FOR YOUR TIME. |
| Comment added by : Trisha on the 12 Aug 2006 at 13:14pm |
| My son is 23 years old and leading a perfectly nomal life. He was born with both feet clubbed and both tibias rotated. Please do not make the mistake I made by doing casting and wedging to turn the feet. We tried this for 6 months before finding a specialist in this field. He should have had corrective surgery right after birth to lengthen the tendons and correct the feet. It would have safed him from additonal pain and trauma. He played football all four years in high school and was team caption all four years. Give your child plenty of love and attention. Stay with them as much as possible during hospital stays and he/she will grow to be a wonderful person just as my son has. Best of luck to all parents facing this problem. |
| Comment added by : jamil davis on the 10 Aug 2006 at 19:27pm |
| I was born with a right clubbed foot. I had several castings and sergery.It has left me with a cut up but workable foot.I'M 29 now, but been a football star(a real one) since 9 up until 10th grade when I started to get a little self-conscience so i stopped playing. Still the fastest in a city school I wished i still played. All was not without pain i could not walk the day after practiced somedays without limping,see i was the running back. no one really known what was wrong with me. It still left me alittle confident but self-conscience. i don't wear shorts and still hate hospitals.To much time there alone night after night as a child. but i can walk! |
| Comment added by : chad on the 10 Aug 2006 at 13:03pm |
| I have Clubbed feet in both i am 25 years old and i work a 8hour day i also have artritice in both and my ankle joints are pretty much gone it is the worse pain in the world i think i drag my feet everyday after work b/c if i sit to long i can't walk till the next morning |
| Comment added by : joanne on the 02 Aug 2006 at 11:29am |
| i had a left clubbed foot that i had surgery on when i was 10, it was unsucessful, and walking got to be a very painful experience. but two years ago and at the age of 30 i could no longer even try to walk, so i had another operation which involved fusing my ancle an tenden transfer, i now can wlk with specially fitted shoes but im not pain free and i dont think i ever will be , but at the age of 32 i can now walk again and i have some sort of quality life put back into my foot. |
| Comment added by : janis raven on the 01 Aug 2006 at 16:38pm |
| hello, I was born with club feet my feet are still very painful, but I manage to work as a ward co ordinator. My biggest regret is when I see women wear beautiful shoes and have nice lone legs. I used to say this to my mother and she always said "You can walk please be grateful for that" and of course she was right. I am 55 years old, but oh those shoes!!! |
| Comment added by : Shelley on the 25 Jul 2006 at 13:48pm |
| My daughter is seven years old and has has a club foot. She had several castings as an infant and then surgery at 6 months. She is doing great. Three months ago she made it on a gymnastics team and they practice 12 hours a week. She can not totally point her right foot but she is able to do everything else. She never complains about pain. I have never told her that her foot would cause her any limitations and thus far it has not. She has to work harder but she is a great athlete and one of the fastest runners in her class. She also takes ballet and Hip Hop. I just wanted to send this comment because almost everything I have read is negitive and I want other moms to know that their child can do anything that other childern are able to do. |
| Comment added by : Jaclyn Wynn on the 21 Jul 2006 at 09:37am |
| Hi my name is Jaclyn I am 20 years old, and a few weeks ago my doctor told me that my baby girl (Isabelle) has something called microcephely as well as clubfeet. Microcephly is where the babys brain and head STOP growing. I went to a specialist and he told me that she does NOT have microcephaly but she does have clubed feet I was so excited that she was going to live, yes she has to have sugery when she is born but she is ok in all other ways. I just wanted to share my story with you beacause this is my first baby and although clubfeet is tough to deal with the surgeries and casting I am so ready there are worse things wrong with people and I pray for them every night now! It makes you think what if it were your baby and not someone elses!! I am glad i found this web site to here different things about clubfeet!! Thanks for your stories everone |
| Comment added by : Joshua Kasper on the 21 Jul 2006 at 00:46am |
| Both of my feet are clubbed but not alot of people know that because if they find out they will make fun of me. i hate having club feet because it is so painful. i can hardly do anything i cant even run that is how bad they are. i just wanted everyone to know that. thanks |
| Comment added by : CANDY RAEZ on the 19 Jul 2006 at 19:46pm |
| My brothers baby she is only 4 days old and she has both club feet what kind life can we expect for the little one |
| Comment added by : Toma Fitzgerald on the 04 Jul 2006 at 23:25pm |
| My son Toma Jr. was born with two clubbed feet as any parent does I want to make his life as enjoyable as possible. What kind of limitations will this have on him, will he be able to play sports, any work limitations, military. Anything I can do to improve his life I would appreciate your comments, personal experiences and advise. Thank you from a loving father. |
| Comment added by : Maia Newton Lewis on the 29 Jun 2006 at 18:21pm |
| Along with being born with club feet and having had much treatment which left me practically normal. I have a hyperextensive condition that I live with. My joints are weak and my ligaments continue to stretch as I age. My joints have dislocate all my life and is painful and difficult to live with. Do other people whom were born with this condition often have this hyperextensive condition that I have? I have found most of my life that the only thing that lessens my suffering is to have an intensive muscle strengthening disciplined way of life. |
| Comment added by : Jessica Butch on the 28 Jun 2006 at 22:48pm |
| I have twins and one of them was born with 2 severely clubbed feet.. she had an operation today.. and she is only 8 months old.. is that normal the way they did that? |
| Comment added by : william on the 21 Jun 2006 at 08:19am |
| hi i was born with a left clubbed foot. it is nice to see that there are other people out there like me. i am 17 years old and i would like to know if there is any way to strengthen the clubbed foot. |
| Comment added by : Pete Maloney on the 13 Jun 2006 at 16:21pm |
| David Hart: I have a clubbed left foot, which is significantly shorter than my right foot. After experimenting with stuffing the front of the left shoe I am certain that this does not help, as the creasing is caused by the pivot point of the ball of your foot (I have no downward pressure from my toes). I would like to know, however, if there is anything commercially available as an insert that allows for normal posture, walking style, and most importantly, a lack of creasing of the shoe at the "wrong" place. |
| Comment added by : Jamie (Site Admin) on the 06 Jun 2006 at 14:56pm |
| Mary Hayes: I have emailed you some information on Club Feet. I hope this helps. |
| Comment added by : Mary Hayes on the 06 Jun 2006 at 08:42am |
| My son Lawrence was born with severe club foot. His father is now remarried. His new wife keeps telling him it is my fault, she is telling him I did drugs. Please send me some e-mail on club feet so I may make copy what is the cause. And give this too Lawrence. |
| Comment added by : david hart on the 05 Jun 2006 at 18:20pm |
| I was born with a left club foot. and it is shorter that the other is there something you can buy to put in the shoe to make the left fit like the right |
| Comment added by : Stephanie Wasson on the 29 May 2006 at 02:20am |
| My right foot is clubbed. I am now 41yrs old and starting to feel pain in my foot (I also started working a job where I am on my feet 9hrs a day). The pain is at the joint of my 2nd toe and ball of my foot under that area. |
| Comment added by : frederick j price on the 26 May 2006 at 13:28pm |
| i have club feet with airthisits itis very painful |