Orthopaedic Surgery
Causes of Clubfoot
The strong evidence that a genetic component is involved in the bevcause of clubfoot remains unclear. There is elopment of clubfoot. For example, approximately 25 percent of affected children have a relative who was born with the condition, and if an identical twin has the condition, the other twin (who has the same set of genes) has a much higher incidence of the condition than normal. However, no single gene has been identified as being responsible for the condition. Rather, it is believed that the cause is multifactorial , in which a number of different genes and non-genetic factors are involved. There is ongoing research at various medical centers in the U.S., dedicated to identifying these factors and improving the treatment of clubfoot.
The central problem in clubfoot lies in the abnormal shape of the bones of the feet, the misaligned joints and the tightening of the ligaments around these irregular alignments during fetal life. These changes cause the foot and ankle to become deformed and remain in an abnormal position through the time of birth.
