Common foot & ankle concerns we treat
- Pain that limits walking, lifting, or sleep
- Stiffness, swelling, or reduced range of motion
- Sports injuries: acute or overuse
- Arthritis or post-traumatic joint changes
- Conditions other doctors couldn't resolve
Clubfoot
A foot turned inward at birth
Clubfoot is a congenital foot deformity present at birth where the foot turns inward and downward; with early treatment, most children do very well. Same-day or next-day evaluations across eight LA-area offices.
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Board-certified surgeons and podiatrists across eight Los Angeles area neighborhoods.
Book a visitOr call (323) 264-7600
What sets LAOSS apart
- Same- or next-day appointments at eight Los Angeles-area offices
- On-site imaging; PT coordinated with your in-network provider
- Conservative-first care, surgery only when needed
- Board-certified specialists, not generalists
Key takeaways
- Clubfoot is one of many foot & ankle conditions our specialists evaluate every day.
- Clubfoot is treated in infancy with gentle weekly casting (the Ponseti method), a small heel-cord procedure, and bracing. Major surgery is rarely needed.
- When a procedure is the right call, we explain every option, recovery timeline, and return-to-activity milestone.
- On-site imaging at most offices and same-day appointments across eight Los Angeles-area locations.
What is clubfoot?
Clubfoot is a congenital foot deformity present at birth where the foot turns inward and downward; with early treatment, most children do very well. It is usually recognized at birth or on a prenatal ultrasound, and treatment works best when it starts in the first weeks of life.
Clubfoot is treated soon after birth with the Ponseti method: gentle stretching and a series of weekly casts that gradually bring the foot into position. Most babies then need a small procedure to release the tight heel cord, followed by a brace to keep the correction, worn full-time at first and then at night for several years. More extensive surgery is reserved for feet that do not respond or that relapse.
Below, we walk through the anatomy involved, the symptoms and causes we most often see, how we diagnose clubfoot, and the full range of treatment options, from the simplest to the most involved.
Watch: Clubfoot (Talipes Equinovarus)
This is a problem that some babies are born with. One or both feet are turned inward and downward. A clubfoot is hard to push into the correct position.
Inside the foot & ankle.
The foot and ankle have 26 bones, more than 30 joints, and over 100 ligaments and tendons. The plantar fascia spans the bottom of the foot, the Achilles tendon anchors the calf to the heel, and the ankle is a hinge that handles every step you take. Most foot and ankle problems trace back to overload, alignment, or footwear that doesn't match the way your foot is built.
Symptoms and causes of clubfoot
Common symptoms
- Foot turned inward at birth
- Smaller affected foot and calf
- Limited motion of the foot
- Walking on the outside or top of the foot if untreated
Common causes
- Idiopathic in most cases
- Genetic predisposition
- Associated with other conditions (spina bifida, arthrogryposis)
- Position in the uterus is not a cause
How we diagnose clubfoot
You want answers, fast, and we're built to give them. Most patients leave their first LAOSS visit with a clear diagnosis and a written plan, not another referral chain.
Here's what your initial visit for clubfoot typically looks like:
- Detailed history: pregnancy and birth history, family history, and any treatment so far
- Focused exam of the foot & ankle: how flexible the foot is, plus a check of the hips, spine, and legs for related conditions
- On-site imaging at most offices: available when needed, although clubfoot in a baby is diagnosed by exam and usually needs no X-ray
- A written plan with options ranging from conservative care to surgical procedures, in plain English
Schedule your evaluation at the LAOSS office nearest you.
How we treat clubfoot at LAOSS
Once we've confirmed the diagnosis, the next step is matching the right treatment to your situation. We start with the least-invasive option that fits, and escalate only when it doesn't.
Conservative care
Step 1Conservative care first
Gentle casting and bracing correct the foot gradually, and most children never need major surgery.
- Weekly stretching and casting (Ponseti method), started soon after birth
- Foot abduction brace: full-time at first, then at night for several years
- Stretching exercises taught to parents
- Regular follow-up visits to catch a relapse early
Surgical care
When neededSurgical options when needed
Minimally invasive and reconstructive procedures performed by board-certified orthopedic surgeons.
- Heel-cord (Achilles) tenotomy, a small procedure done during casting
- Tendon transfer for a foot that relapses in an older child
- Soft-tissue release or bone procedures for resistant feet
Why experience matters.
Why experience matters
Foot & ankle care is highly technique-dependent. Volume, training, and judgment together determine the outcome you actually feel six months later.
- Precise diagnosis from imaging and exam
- Conservative-first care that avoids unnecessary surgery
- Surgical technique refined over thousands of cases
- On-site imaging + coordinated PT through your in-network provider
The LAOSS approach
Our foot & ankle specialists move stepwise: start with the least-invasive option that fits your situation, escalate only when it doesn't.
- Same-day imaging at most offices
- PT coordinated in your insurance network
- Board-certified surgeons performing the procedures themselves
- Direct access to your specialist between visits
Am I a candidate?
If most of these match your situation, an evaluation with a foot & ankle specialist is the next step.
You may be a candidate if
These signs typically point toward an in-person evaluation with a foot & ankle specialist.
- Your baby was born with one or both feet turned inward and downward
- Your baby was diagnosed with clubfoot at birth or on a prenatal ultrasound
- A corrected clubfoot that is starting to turn in again
- Previous treatment that didn't fully resolve the problem
- Imaging or exam findings that suggest an underlying issue
What evaluation includes
Your first visit is built to give you an answer the same day, not just another referral.
- Detailed history: onset, mechanism, what makes it better or worse
- Hands-on exam focused on the affected joint or region
- On-site imaging at most offices (X-ray, ultrasound)
- Clear plan with options ranging from conservative to surgical
- Same-day or next-day scheduling for any follow-up tests
ImportantSeek urgent evaluation if your child's toes look pale, blue, or very swollen in a cast, if the cast slips, or if you see skin sores or any sign of infection (fever, redness, or drainage). If you cannot reach us right away, go to the emergency room.
Your child's clubfoot treatment roadmap.
Recovery is rarely a straight line, but a clear plan with measurable milestones makes the path predictable.
- Step 1
Weekly casting
Treatment starts soon after birth. Each week the foot is gently stretched and a new cast is applied, bringing it a little closer to the corrected position.
- Gentle stretching and a new cast each week
- Cast care instructions for home
- Checks of the toes for color and swelling
- Follow-up scheduled to track healing
- Step 2
Heel-cord release
Most babies then need a small procedure to release the tight heel cord, followed by a final cast while the tendon heals.
- Heel-cord (Achilles) tenotomy, a brief procedure
- A final cast while the tendon heals
- Fitting for the foot abduction brace
- Teaching parents how to put the brace on correctly
- Step 3
Bracing and follow-up
Once the foot is corrected, a brace helps keep it that way: full-time at first, then at night for several years. Regular visits help catch any relapse early.
- Brace worn full-time at first, then at night and during naps
- Stretching exercises taught to parents
- Regular follow-up visits as your child grows
- Direct line back to your specialist if needed
Risks & considerations
What to weigh before you decide.
We talk through the risks and benefits with every patient. Informed consent is a conversation, not a form.
General considerations
Every orthopedic intervention carries a small set of standard risks. We screen, prepare, and monitor for these on every patient.
- Infection (rare with modern technique and prophylaxis)
- Bleeding or bruising at the treatment site
- Reaction to anesthesia or medications
- Need for additional procedures in some cases
Foot and ankle considerations
Some risks are tied to the structures we're treating in the foot & ankle. We discuss these in detail at your visit so you can weigh them against the benefits.
- Skin irritation or pressure sores from casts or the brace
- Relapse of the deformity, most often when the brace is not worn as prescribed
- Nerve or vessel irritation near the treatment area
- Need for follow-up therapy to fully restore function
Meet our foot & ankle doctors in the Greater Los Angeles area
At LAOSS, our foot & ankle specialists are board-certified and treat these problems every day. From minimally invasive arthroscopic techniques to joint replacement and arthritis management, our physicians bring decades of experience to every case. We have cared for Los Angeles patients since 2007, with one goal for each: less pain, better movement, and a return to the activities you love.
Care for clubfoot starts here
Clubfoot is best treated early, ideally in the first weeks of life. With same- or next-day appointments at multiple Los Angeles locations, you'll never wait weeks or months for answers. The same team handles your diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. Whether your child needs casting, bracing, or a procedure, we plan it with you and coordinate each step.
Call or schedule online today to see a foot & ankle specialist in Los Angeles.
Common clubfoot questions
- Clubfoot is diagnosed by physical exam, often right after birth, and is sometimes seen earlier on a prenatal ultrasound. X-rays are usually not needed in infants. Most patients leave the first visit with a clear diagnosis and a written plan.
Don't wait on pain.
Book a visit with a foot & ankle specialist at any of our eight Los Angeles-area offices.
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21 specialists · 8 offices
Greater Los Angeles
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