Our grandson was born with severe clubfoot in the left foot. The doctor did some casting and now wants him to wear a special foot brace all the time. We notice our son and his wife don’t really put the brace on him very much. What does the brace do? Does it really matter if he wears it everyday?

Clubfoot is a deformity of the bones in the midfoot and heel. It causes the foot and ankle to turn inward. The foot cannot rest flat on the floor.

Treatment for clubfoot is usually a three-step process. First, the bones of the foot are manipulated into as neutral a position as possible. A cast is applied to hold it there. As correction takes place, the cast is taken off. The bones are moved again to a more normal alignment. A second cast is applied. This procedure continues until the deformity is corrected.

Sometimes the tendon to the heel is cut to help the process along. The final step is to wear a foot abduction brace. The brace holds the foot and ankle in the correct position as the child grows and develops. At first the brace is worn all the time. It is only taken off to bathe and dress the child.

After about three months, the brace can be removed during the daytime. It’s only worn during naps and at night. This allows the child to move freely with the foot in the normal position.

Many studies have shown this treatment works well. But it must be carried out daily. These same studies show that for families who do not follow the program, the clubfoot deformity comes back.

Gently encourage your children to use the brace as prescribed. Make sure they understand the purpose of the bracing. Perhaps suggest they talk with their doctor about the program and its importance.