Clubfoot is an abnormal condition of the foot, usually present at birth. But it may develop later as the result of injury or poliomyelitis or other diseases. The condition is also called talipes << TAL uh peez >> . In the commonest form of clubfoot, the foot is bent downward and inward so that the person can walk only on the toes and on the outside of the foot. Sometimes the foot is bent in an upward and outward position so the person can use only the heel for walking. Doctors begin treatment early, sometimes when the baby is only a week old. They use massage, manipulate the foot into position, and use casts to hold the corrected position. In severe cases of clubfoot, surgery may be necessary to correct the condition.
