In newborn babies, common foot and toe conditions includeclubfoot, flatfoot, and overlapping toes. Most of these foot deformities are treated nonsurgically. In many cases, they can simply be observed. However, it’s important to understand the deformity to ensure appropriate treatment is being provided.
Clubfoot
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Approximately 1 to 4 babies in 1,000 are born with clubfoot.
Why Some Infants Have Clubfoot
Metatarsus Adductus
Mild cases often resolve on their own, but more severe cases may needcasts, splints, or corrective shoes. Surgery is rarely needed for metatarsus adductus.
Polydactyly
Around 1 in 1,000 babies are born with polydactyly.
The treatment of polydactyly of the foot depends on where and how the extra toe or toes are connected. If there’s no bone and the toe is poorly formed, a clip can be put on it to stop blood flow, which will cause it to fall off.
Congenital Vertical Talus
The treatment for vertical talus is similar to the treatment for clubfoot, using stretching exercises, casts, and, if necessary, surgery.
An Overview of Flat Feet
Congenital Curly Toes
About 20% of cases of curly toe resolve on their own.
Overlapping Toes
In other children, an overlapping toe can create difficulties with footwear. It may require a surgical procedure to correct the deformity.
Summary
It is common for babies to be born with toe and foot problems like clubfoot, flatfoot, or overlapping toes. Most of the time these problems can be corrected with stretching exercises, casts, or corrective footwear. Sometimes, however, surgery is necessary.
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.O’Shea RM, Sabatini CS.What is new in idiopathic clubfoot?Curr Rev Musculoskelet Med. 2016;9(4):470-477. doi:10.1007/s12178-016-9375-2Boston Children’s Hospital.Clubfoot.Rerucha CM, Dickison C, Baird DC.Lower extremity abnormalities in children.Am Fam Physician. 2017;96(4):226-233.Seattle Children’s.Polydactyly.Rathjen NA, Rogers TS, Garigan TP, Seehusen DA.Management of postaxial polydactyly in the neonatal unit.J Am Osteopath Assoc.2017;117(11):719-721. doi:10.7556/jaoa.2017.138Miller M, Dobbs MB.Congenital vertical talus: etiology and management.J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2015;23(10):604-11. doi:10.5435/JAAOS-D-14-00034Hosseinzadeh P.Curly toe. Pediatric Orthopaedic Society Of North America (POSNA).Talusan PG, Milewski MD, Reach JS.Fifth toe deformities: overlapping and underlapping toe.Foot Ankle Spec. 2013;6(2):145-9. doi:10.1177/1938640013477129Additional ReadingBoston Children’s Hospital.Metatarsus adductus.St. Louis Children’s Hospital.Vertical talus.
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.O’Shea RM, Sabatini CS.What is new in idiopathic clubfoot?Curr Rev Musculoskelet Med. 2016;9(4):470-477. doi:10.1007/s12178-016-9375-2Boston Children’s Hospital.Clubfoot.Rerucha CM, Dickison C, Baird DC.Lower extremity abnormalities in children.Am Fam Physician. 2017;96(4):226-233.Seattle Children’s.Polydactyly.Rathjen NA, Rogers TS, Garigan TP, Seehusen DA.Management of postaxial polydactyly in the neonatal unit.J Am Osteopath Assoc.2017;117(11):719-721. doi:10.7556/jaoa.2017.138Miller M, Dobbs MB.Congenital vertical talus: etiology and management.J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2015;23(10):604-11. doi:10.5435/JAAOS-D-14-00034Hosseinzadeh P.Curly toe. Pediatric Orthopaedic Society Of North America (POSNA).Talusan PG, Milewski MD, Reach JS.Fifth toe deformities: overlapping and underlapping toe.Foot Ankle Spec. 2013;6(2):145-9. doi:10.1177/1938640013477129Additional ReadingBoston Children’s Hospital.Metatarsus adductus.St. Louis Children’s Hospital.Vertical talus.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
O’Shea RM, Sabatini CS.What is new in idiopathic clubfoot?Curr Rev Musculoskelet Med. 2016;9(4):470-477. doi:10.1007/s12178-016-9375-2Boston Children’s Hospital.Clubfoot.Rerucha CM, Dickison C, Baird DC.Lower extremity abnormalities in children.Am Fam Physician. 2017;96(4):226-233.Seattle Children’s.Polydactyly.Rathjen NA, Rogers TS, Garigan TP, Seehusen DA.Management of postaxial polydactyly in the neonatal unit.J Am Osteopath Assoc.2017;117(11):719-721. doi:10.7556/jaoa.2017.138Miller M, Dobbs MB.Congenital vertical talus: etiology and management.J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2015;23(10):604-11. doi:10.5435/JAAOS-D-14-00034Hosseinzadeh P.Curly toe. Pediatric Orthopaedic Society Of North America (POSNA).Talusan PG, Milewski MD, Reach JS.Fifth toe deformities: overlapping and underlapping toe.Foot Ankle Spec. 2013;6(2):145-9. doi:10.1177/1938640013477129
O’Shea RM, Sabatini CS.What is new in idiopathic clubfoot?Curr Rev Musculoskelet Med. 2016;9(4):470-477. doi:10.1007/s12178-016-9375-2
Boston Children’s Hospital.Clubfoot.
Rerucha CM, Dickison C, Baird DC.Lower extremity abnormalities in children.Am Fam Physician. 2017;96(4):226-233.
Seattle Children’s.Polydactyly.
Rathjen NA, Rogers TS, Garigan TP, Seehusen DA.Management of postaxial polydactyly in the neonatal unit.J Am Osteopath Assoc.2017;117(11):719-721. doi:10.7556/jaoa.2017.138
Miller M, Dobbs MB.Congenital vertical talus: etiology and management.J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2015;23(10):604-11. doi:10.5435/JAAOS-D-14-00034
Hosseinzadeh P.Curly toe. Pediatric Orthopaedic Society Of North America (POSNA).
Talusan PG, Milewski MD, Reach JS.Fifth toe deformities: overlapping and underlapping toe.Foot Ankle Spec. 2013;6(2):145-9. doi:10.1177/1938640013477129
Boston Children’s Hospital.Metatarsus adductus.St. Louis Children’s Hospital.Vertical talus.
Boston Children’s Hospital.Metatarsus adductus.
St. Louis Children’s Hospital.Vertical talus.
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