clubfootNOTES - clubfoot dictionary

Clubfoot Dictionary

Researching clubfoot and understanding the various correction methods for it proved challenging in the beginning because there were so many medical terms we didn't understand. Once we understood the terms, the literature was easier to read and we were able to make a decision on which method of treatment would be best for our son. We hope that this list of terms will be helpful to you.

abduction	the outward movement of the foot, away from the midline of the body
abduct	to draw the foot away from the midline of the body
adductus	the inward turned state of a clubfoot
adduction	the movement of the foot towards the midline of the body (i.e. turning inwards)
anterior	nearer to the front
atrophy	wasting away through lack of use (or nourishment)
atypical clubfoot	(same as 'complex clubfoot'); severe, rigid clubfoot, with a short and hyper-extended big toe and deep crease above the heel and on the sole of the foot
bilateral	both feet are affected (whereas only one foot is affected with unilateral clubfoot)
calcaneous	the "heel bone"; largest bone in the heel
complex clubfoot	usually short and chubby, stiff feet with a deep crease in the sole of the foot and behind the ankle, and short and hyperextended big toe.
congenital	present at birth (i.e. not a deformity that occured after birth)
congenital talipes equinovarus	a deformity of the foot and ankle which present at birth, where the foot points downwards and inwards
contracture	permanent shortening of a muscle or of fibrous tissue
dorsi-flexion	movement that flexes the foot or toes upwards
equinovarus	from "equinus" and "varus", meaning a foot that points downwards and inwards
eversion	movement of the underside of a bone away from the midline of the body
flexion	bending/moving of joints
forefoot	the broad front 1/3 section of the foot, including the metatarsals and phalanges
hindfoot	the back 1/3 of the foot; heel area
idiopathic	resulting spontaneously; due to an obscure or unknown cause; baby is otherwise healthy and normal apart from the clubfeet
inversion	the movement of a bone whereby the underside moves towards the midline of the body
ipsilateral	on the same side of the body
lateral border	the outer sides of the foot
medial	middle; situated near the median plane of the body
medial creases	creases visible on the inner edge of the foot

metatarsus	the group of bones in the foot between the ankle section and toes
metatarsus adductus	a deformity of the midfoot, in which the midfoot turns inwards towards the midline of the body. This comes right on its own or with massage, and only very seldom needs intervention to correct it
midfoot	middle 1/3 of the foot; between the heel and toes
orthosis	from the Greek meaning "make straight"; an orthopaedic device/appliance designed to straighten/support/or correct an orthopaedic problem
orthotic	same as orthosis

percutaneous	(procedure done) through the skin (as with a tenotomy)
plantar-flexion	movement of the foot that flexes the foot or toes downwards
plantar-flexed	pointing downwards
plantigrade	when the entire bottom of the foot touches the ground
posterior	back
pronation	rotation of the foot so that it faces downwards
pronate	to turn/rotate the foot inward and downward so that the inner edge of the foot is what bears the weight of the when walking
sole of the foot	under-surface of the foot

plantigrade

this is how humans walk, we step with the entire bottom of our foot touching the ground

talipes	ankle and foot
talipes cavus	a deformity of the foot where the arch is exaggerated
talipes equinovarus	a deformity of the foot where the foot has both talipes equinus (points downwards) and talipes varus (points inwards/inverted)
talus	"ankle bone"
TendoAchilis	Achilles Tendon
tenotomy	lengthening of a tendon, in this case the tight Achilles Tendon
torsion	twisting
unilateral	only one foot is affected
varus	where the heel angles/rocks inwards so that the foot appears to rest on its outer edge rather than the sole of the foot

Abbreviations

AFO - ankle-foot orthosis
ATTT - anterior tibial tendon transfer surgery
BCF - bilateral clubfoot
CF - clubfoot
CTEV - congenital talipes equinovarus
DBB - Dennis-Browne Brace
FAB - Foot Abduction Brace
KAFO - knee-ankle-foot orthosis (orthotics)
MA - metatarsus adductus
PT - physical therapy

Disclaimer: This is not a medical site.
All content is from a mother's perspective and understanding. I believe all content to be accurate, but am not a medical doctor.