Does JR have clubfoot?

Clubfoot is a congenital (present at birth) condition in which your baby’s foot or feet turn inward. It won’t go away on its own, but with early treatment, children experience good results. Clubfoot happens because of an issue with your child’s tendons, the tissues that connect muscle to bone. The tendons in your baby’s leg and foot are shorter and tighter than they should be. That causes the foot to twist. Extensive surgery used to be the main treatment to correct clubfoot. But today, healthcare providers typically use a combination of nonsurgical methods and a minor procedure.

Clubfoot isn’t painful for your baby. Many babies won’t even notice it during the first few months of life. But clubfoot will get in the way of standing and walking. It won’t go away on its own. Babies with clubfoot need treatment to correct the problem before they reach walking age.

Untreated clubfoot can lead to: * Walking problems. Babies with clubfoot often walk in unusual ways. Typically, people walk on the bottoms and soles of their feet. A baby with clubfoot may walk on the sides and tops of their feet. * Foot infections. * Foot problems, including calluses. A callus is a thick layer of skin that often develops on the sole of the foot. * Arthritis, a joint condition that causes pain, stiffness and swelling.