“Parents of infants born with clubfeet may be reassured that their baby, if otherwise normal, when treated by expert hands will have normal looking feet with normal function for all practical purposes. The well-treated clubfoot is no handicap and is fully compatible with a normal, active life.” – Ignaio Ponseti, M.D. (1914-2009)Our son Alex was born with clubfoot in 2003. When I first read Dr Ponseti’s words above, I was inspired, encouraged and had hope for Alex’s future quality of life. If you are the parent or family of a child born with congenital clubfoot (talipes equinovarus), I hope it has reassured you a little too.I’m not a doctor, or a physiotherapist or a nurse. I have no formal medical training at all. I’m the mother of a child born with clubfoot. I’ve lived through his treatment and I’ve researched his condition.A description of clubfootCongenital Clubfoot is the most common lower leg deformi capsiplex ty that occurs in otherwise healthy babies. The World Health Organisation estimates 100,000 children are born with congenital clubfoot every year, 80% in the developing world. Clubfoot can be either “unilateral” (one foot) or “bilateral” (both feet). In about 50% of clubfoot cases it is bilateral.Clubfoot has been a recognized condition since ancient Egypt. Pharaohs Siptah and Tutankhamun had clubfoot, the condition was described by Hippocrates and the Aztecs.Although clubfoot has been known about for centuries, it’s ?idiopathic’, meaning that its cause is unknown. It’s generally agreed that Congenital Clubfoot develops after the first trimester of pregnancy. It is often picked up on ultrasound at around 16-20 weeks.Clubfoot causes the foot to turn inward and point downward. The foot is usually short and broad, curved in a ‘kidney bean’ shape with a deep crease on the sole of the foot because of the curve.