What is Clubfoot?
Clubfoot is a complex, congenital deformity of the foot also known as ‘congenital talipes equinovarus’ (CTEV) caused by the abnormal development of a baby’s bones, ligaments and muscles whilst in the womb (1).
Visually, the foot affected by clubfoot appears to be twisted inwards and downwards. The foot will be shorter than a normal foot and the calf muscles of the affected limb will be smaller (2). The deformity will feel ‘fixed’ – not able to be corrected manually and will not resolve on its own (3).
Around the world, 150,000 – 200,000 babies with clubfoot are born each year. Approximately 80% of these will be in low and middle income countries1. The incidence of clubfoot varies around the world.
Without treatment, the clubfoot deformity causes a lifetime of disability as the affected individual experiences pain and difficulty in walking. People with untreated clubfoot find it difficult to access education, employment and experience exclusion from society.
