When a child is diagnosed with clubfoot—either during pregnancy or at birth—it can be overwhelming for parents. In this video, Craig P. Eberson, MD, Chief of Pediatric Orthopedics at University Orthopedics, provides reassurance and clarity about this common condition, including what causes it and how it’s treated.
What Is Clubfoot?
Clubfoot is a congenital condition where a baby’s foot is turned inward and downward. It can affect one or both feet and varies in severity. While the appearance may be concerning, modern treatment methods are highly effective.
In the above video, Dr. Eberson explains that there are two general types:
- Calcaneovalgus Foot (Positional Foot Deformity): Caused by positioning in the womb and is typically more flexible.
- True clubfoot: A more rigid condition with a structural component.
How Common Is It?
Clubfoot is more common than many people realize:
- Occurs in about 1–3 out of every 1,000 births
- More frequent in boys than girls
- About 50% of cases affect both feet
What Causes Clubfoot?
While the exact cause isn’t always clear, there is often a genetic component. Importantly, Dr. Eberson wants parents to know that there is nothing they did that caused this condition.
Treatment Options
The good news: clubfoot is very treatable.
Most children are treated using the Ponseti method, which involves:
- Gentle stretching
- A series of casts to gradually correct the foot
- Sometimes, a minor procedure to release the Achilles tendon
- Bracing to maintain correction
What’s the Long-Term Outlook?
With proper treatment, children with clubfoot can:
- Walk, run, and play normally
- Participate in sports and everyday activities
- Live completely active, healthy lives
Dr. Eberson’s key message to families is one of reassurance: modern treatment leads to excellent outcomes.
If your child has been diagnosed with clubfoot, early intervention and expert care are essential—but so is peace of mind. As Dr. Eberson explains, this condition is common, manageable, and highly treatable.
About Dr. Craig P. Eberson
Craig P. Eberson, MD, specializes in the treatment of orthopaedic disorders in children. His main clinical interests lie in the treatment of scoliosis and other spinal disorders, congenital or acquired problems of the lower extremities in children, and pediatric fracture care.
Dr. Eberson is a Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the Brown Medical School and an Attending Physician at Hasbro Children’s Hospital and Rhode Island Hospital. He is the chief of Pediatric Orthopaedics, and is the author of numerous book chapters, scientific articles, and national presentations related to the orthopaedic care of children. His current research interests include the treatment of spinal disorders via a minimally invasive approach, improving the success of limb-lengthening procedures, and the treatment of pediatric musculoskeletal injuries.
In addition to his clinical duties, Dr. Eberson is the Program Director of the Brown Orthopedic Surgery Residency. Dr. Eberson believes that training the next generation of orthopedic surgeons is a tremendous responsibility and privilege. He has a passion for education, as has helped develop the Curriculum for Educators for members of the Pediatric Orthopedic Society, and has lectured on the topic to international audiences.