Congenital clubfoot (pes equinovarus or clubfoot) is a common congenital (present at birth) deformity in newborns. In nearly half of cases, the deformity may affect both feet. Although this deformity, which is more common in male infants than in female infants, can be detected prenatally via ultrasound in the womb, treatment begins after birth. Using the serial casting method described by Dr. Ignacio V. Ponseti in the 1960s, complete correction is possible in 95% of cases provided the treatment regimen is strictly followed. In the Ponseti method, casting begins in the first week after birth, and the goal is to gradually correct a portion of this complex foot deformity each week.
Following an average of 6 weeks of casting, a minor surgical procedure—a tenotomy (tendon cutting and lengthening)—is performed on the Achilles tendon in most cases, and the patient moves on to the final cast, which is worn for 3 weeks. The patient is then monitored using a special orthopedic shoe until they reach 2–4 years of age. With patience and care from both the doctor and the family, it is possible to achieve a foot that looks normal, can bear weight properly, and has no movement restrictions.