Preventing clubfoot recurrence: The importance of appropriate follow-up care
5. August 2025
Treatment of Pes equinovarus congetinus defect, known as clubfoot, is a complex and long-term process that requires not only professional care, but above all the active cooperation of parents and child.** After successfully managing the correction phase, when the foot is gradually adjusted to the correct position, the maintenance phase comes**. It is this phase that is essential for permanent maintaining the correct position of the leg, and therefore also a further life without limitations.
During the first three months after the correction phase, the child wears special splints almost continuously - up to 23 hours a day. Subsequently, the time of wearing the splints is gradually reduced to 12 to 14 hours a day. It is usually left during the night. This one the maintenance phase lasts until the child is five years old. In the period when splints are not in place, it is important to secure the legs stability with suitable ankle footwear.
Regular check-ups with an orthopaedic specialist and open communication
The splinting is followed by the first checkup with an orthopaedic specialist already after a week. During this visit, experts verify the correct handling of splints, answer parents' questions and provide the necessary support. The course of treatment requires continuous and open communication between doctors, parents and the child .
As the child ages, resistance to wearing splints may appear. This phenomenon is common, however, it can have a cause discomfort or other complications that need to be dealt with in a timely manner with experts. Therefore, Ponseti Clinic provides parents with an ongoing support and advice to make treatment run as smoothly and efficiently as possible.
Parents are guided to regularly stretch the muscles and tendons, which is necessary to maintain their elasticity and strength. Daily exercise becomes part of daily foot care and contributes significantly to the success of Ponseti treatment method.
Physiotherapy as support for proper development
An essential part of the maintenance phase is regular physiotherapy, ideally at least once a week.** Physiotherapists strengthen weakened muscles, improve motor skills and at the same time help stimulate psychomotor development**, which can be slightly delayed in children with clubfoot, namely by 2 to 3 months.
Thanks to a combination of professional care and the active involvement of parents, most children have a chance to grow up healthy, fully functional legs without restrictions in everyday life. If the treatment is conducted consistently, the risk of return of the deformity is minimized to just 5%.
If you have just been diagnosed with clubfoot in your babies, feel free to contact us. At the Ponseti Clinic, we will provide you with professional support and accompany you and your child through the entire treatment journey so that together they stepped into a healthy and active future.
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