Club Feet

Jayne221 · February 2014

Hi ladies, yesterday at our 20 week scan we were told our baby has club feet. This can be fixed but I am worried as I heard it can also be a soft marker for downs. Do any of you have info. I'm trying to avoid google. Thanks.

Msrachael · February 2014

My little brother had 1 clubbed foot at birth, (1995)he wore shoes with a metal bar connecting them. And it angled the foot outwards to "correct it" . Didn't help, around 3 he had surgery and a walking cast, and another surgery at 8, that was successful. He's 19 now and walks just fine, as a child with a clubbed foot he would sometimes trip over his foot if he wasn't paying attention. I'm sure with today's technology they'll be able to correct the clubbed feet much quicker

whoberry · February 2014

I don't have any info, but just wanted to say I am sorry you are going through this.

Jayne221 · February 2014

@whoberry, thank you. I'm trying not to worry but if course I can't help it.

colllydon · February 2014

No info but my thought and prayers go out to you and your LO!

RedMar · February 2014

Praying everything is ok!!

erind228 · February 2014

No info, but I'm thinking about you.

nunzchucks · February 2014

No experience, but hoping everything is ok!

kibean · February 2014

Sorry you are going through this. I don't know anything about club feet, but I am sending T&Ps.

LovetoLive614 · February 2014

My nephew was born with pretty severe club feet which affected both feet. The solution for club feet used to be surgery to totally reconstruct both feet but now the common practice is to use a series of casts starting soon after birth to coax the feet back into proper position. He has had quite a few series of casts and smaller surgeries (to cut achellis tendion) but now at age 7, you wouldn't know he was born with club feet. She posted a good article recently which explained this whole process, I will post it if you like.

I have never heard it being a soft marker for downs (from my sister in law, doctor or DS organization I volunteer with) but maybe it has just never come up. I have read 1 in 1,000 children are born with club feet and it's one of the most common birth defect.

ETA: I had the statistic wrong, it is 1 in 1,000 not 1 in 200 as I previously stated. Sorry!

BrunoBabies · February 2014

A friend of mines son had a club foot, he had to have the corrective surgery, but is now totally fine. Good luck!

babygabe614 · February 2014

No advice but fx for you and LO!

Mztwilson · February 2014

No advice but fx everything turns out ok

MommaAshley12 · February 2014

My SIL was born with one club foot. They used different braces and pt to correct her foot. I would have never known if she hadn't told me. She is athletic and has no problem walking or running. I hope everything turns out alright. Prayers and hugs!

lscal20 · February 2014

I hope all turns out okay!

elsa1688 · February 2014

My MIL was born with it on one foot and she is completely fine now. It was corrected as a child and you would never know.

abastian00 · February 2014

My cousin's son was born with club feet, and similar to PPs response, had a series of surgeries practically right away to start correcting them. I think it was more stressful on my cousin and his wife than on their son! Today he is almost three years old, and is a hilarious, super smart, super active little boy - and I'm sure your LO will be the same!

Also, I don't think they were concerned about downs (or if they were, they didn't share it with everyone), and he definitely does not have downs.

FX for good results - but please know that the options for your LO are good ones! Keep us updated!

momof5sept18 · February 2014

No information here, but T&Ps for you and your LO.

chickpea912 · February 2014

No experience here - there are many things that COULD be soft markers for Down's, but aren't necessarily. If you're concerned about DS, you can always do one of the DNA blood tests, or you could wait. It seems like you have good information above about what can/will be done with the feet, so I'll just say that I'm sending positive vibes out there for you that everything is just fine.

Mowill59 · February 2014

No experience but T&Ps for you and LO!

MrsCase1 · February 2014

Medicine has come such a long way. I know it is scary to think about dealing with something like this, but you have our support. Sorry you're going through this. T&Ps!

SecondTimeinMSU · February 2014

chickpea912 said:

No experience here - there are many things that COULD be soft markers for Down's, but aren't necessarily. If you're concerned about DS, you can always do one of the DNA blood tests, or you could wait. It seems like you have good information above about what can/will be done with the feet, so I'll just say that I'm sending positive vibes out there for you that everything is just fine.

I totally agree with all this. Try not to stress about anything until you have more answers. I would discuss my options as far as genetic testing with my doctor just so you have all the facts.

Plus I thought I would add since my sister is a figure skating junky that Kristi Yamaguchi was born with club feet and won an Olympic goal medal in something that requires a boatload of coordination so therapy can do amazing things.

SarahSmile01 · February 2014

My brother was born with club feet. It took a series of casts and I think one or two surgeries. (I was young at the time and don't remember details). He walked a little later than most but went on to be a top athlete in school and he's ridiculously intelligent. So, other than the initial few years of casts it didn't seem to have any long term effects. T&P!

Jayne221 · February 2014

@love to live, I would love to read that article, and thank you for all the replies. It has calmed me down a little. I will be asking our doctor a lot of questions. The DNA testing I hadn't thought of so thank you for that advice as well

flerlgirl · February 2014

No advice but just wanted to say GL and I hope all is well!

b48kate · February 2014

The very first delivery I was ever part of back of nursing school was the delivery of gorgeous and healthy baby boy with club feet. Treatment is highly effective and it is good that they caught it in utero so that they can begin treatment without delay. I know anytime the words Down Syndrome are put out as a possibility it is so scary. Just know that the possibility remains highly unlikely....hang in there!

allrightmeow · February 2014

No advice just hugs.

LovetoLive614 · February 2014

https://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2014/01/27/265254533/how-parents-and-the-internet-transformed-clubfoot-treatment

There is the article she posted. My nephews feet looked just like the baby's feet in the article. It is not a very in-depth article but I think it provide a nice, positive overview of the most common treatment option.

There seems to be a pretty big supportive community out there for parents of children with club feet. In her case, there is a Facebook page for the doctor that treated her son and many parents will post pictures, stories, questions, offer support, etc.

ELC252011 · February 2014

No advise but FX for your LO

kjohnson1002 · February 2014

My friends were told their daughter had club foot. They prepared and had everything in order. Baby was born and she was perfectly fine. I know this isn't always the case but they were very prepared for if she did. My thoughts are with you.

LilyGracesMommy · February 2014

No information, but wishing you and LO the best, from PPs it seems it's a very treatable, T&Ps

emslade982 · February 2014

Was good friends with a guy in college who was born with one club foot. Had surgeries and walks with a cane. Was captain of the wrestling team in high school and is now a doctor, married, and has a baby on the way!

mattscountrygirl · February 2014

Hoping everything is ok.

stephpaez · February 2014

FX for your LO and for everything to turn out ok :x

MissBHaven1024 · February 2014

No advice, but sending you many thoughts and prayers. DH's youngest brother was born with a club foot, and all it required was corrective casts and boots to turn it back to the proper position. Hopefully your LO will have the same outcome and not require surgery. Big hugs!

rldartman · February 2014

Hello, We just had a 18 week ultrasound and also found out our little girl has club feet. It was shocking news to us as I am sure it was for you all! However, Our genetic counselor and physician said that this is not a soft marker for Down syndrome!! They did set up a consult for us to pediatric orthopedics so we can meet with them early to discuss treatment options!! Sending positive thoughts your way!

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