Idiopathic congenital clubfoot is the most common serious musculoskeletal birth defect in the
United States and the world. The natural history of the deformity is to persist into adult life
with a significant decrease in function and quality of life. The Ponseti method (serial casting,
Achilles tenotomy, and bracing of the clubfoot) has become the most effective and accepted
treatment of children born with clubfoot worldwide. The treatment is successful, particularly
when the Ponseti-trained practitioner (often a pediatric orthopedic surgeon), the primary …

Idiopathic congenital clubfoot occurs in 1 in 1,000 infants in the US and is considered the
most prevalent musculoskeletal birth defect in the world. In this podcast, Richard Schwend,
MD, FAOA, FAAP, Interim Chair, Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Musculoskeletal
Science at Children's Mercy Kansas City, discusses a clinical report published by the
American Academy of Pediatrics which covers background on the condition, evaluation and
treatment–including the Ponseti technique, which is considered the gold standard of care.