The birth of a child is a moment filled with joy and expectation. When a newborn is diagnosed with clubfoot, that joy may be accompanied by worry and uncertainty. Clubfoot is a visible foot deformity present at birth, but families need to know that it is highly treatable. With timely medical care, most children grow up to walk, run, and live active, independent lives.
In this blog, we explain how clubfoot treatment is delivered in India, how families can access free clubfoot treatment, and where free clubfoot treatment surgery is available through public and charitable healthcare systems.
Understanding Clubfoot in Newborns
Clubfoot is a congenital condition in which one or both feet are twisted inward and downward due to shortened muscles and tendons. The affected foot may appear smaller and stiffer, with a limited range of motion. Although painless in infancy, untreated clubfoot can lead to walking difficulties, imbalance, and long-term physical limitations.
This condition is more common than many parents expect and affects thousands of newborns across India each year. It is not caused by anything a mother did during pregnancy. Most cases are identified during routine newborn examinations, allowing clubfoot treatment to begin early, when a baby’s bones and joints are most flexible.
Importance of Early Clubfoot Treatment
When treatment begins within the first few weeks of life, the soft tissues and bones respond quickly to gentle correction. Most children who receive prompt clubfoot treatment develop normal mobility and participate fully in everyday activities.
Delaying care can lead to complications that affect posture, gait, and self-confidence. Early intervention also reduces the use of complex surgeries and long-term rehabilitation.
The early initiation of treatment is associated with definite and long-term benefits:
- Allows easy correction when bones and joints are not hard.
- Reduces the total treatment time.
- Minimises the chances of massive surgery.
- Maintains balance and ambulation.
- Avoids disability and social problems in the long run.
Modern Approaches to Clubfoot Treatment
Most cases today are corrected using the Ponseti method, a non-surgical approach used worldwide to correct the foot by simply manipulating it and applying a plaster cast weekly to bring the foot into position gradually. This is a safe, effective, and suitable surgery for infants. The Ponseti technique is the basis of care in most of the programmes that provide free clubfoot treatment.
In minor cases, the surgery involves making a small incision to loosen the restraining tendons, then completing the surgery. This is the point at which free clubfoot treatment surgery is essential. After correction, children put a brace on to avoid relapse. With proper follow-up at a trusted paediatric orthopaedic hospital, outcomes are excellent, allowing children to grow with strong, functional feet and a normal range of motion.
Availability of Free Clubfoot Treatment in India
India has established a vast network of public health programmes and charitable initiatives to ensure that no child is deprived of essential orthopaedic care due to financial constraints. These programmes are designed to identify children early, provide structured correction, and ensure long-term follow-up without imposing a financial burden on families. Many of these centres follow internationally accepted treatment protocols under the supervision of trained specialists.
Parents can commonly access free clubfoot treatment surgery in India through the following avenues:
- Government hospitals and district health centres
- Private Hospitals
- State-funded maternal and child health programmes
- Charitable hospitals and NGO-supported clinics
- Medical colleges with paediatric orthopaedic departments
- Outreach camps in underserved communities
Free Clubfoot Treatment Surgery in Delhi NCR
Delhi NCR is home to some of the country’s most advanced paediatric healthcare facilities. Families in this region benefit from access to specialised centres offering free clubfoot treatment surgery in Delhi NCR. Sarvodaya Hospital in Sec 8, Faridabad, under their non-profit CSR initiative, offers free clubfoot surgery along with other paediatric bone and joint conditions to underprivileged children.
These centres provide end-to-end care, from diagnosis and casting to surgery and rehabilitation. Treatment is delivered by experienced teams led by a paediatric orthopaedic surgeon, ensuring that each child receives care tailored to their age, condition, and developmental needs.
Care pathways in Delhi NCR typically include:
- Early screening and diagnosis at birth or infancy
- Non-surgical correction using the Ponseti method
- Minor surgeries, when required
- Bracing and long-term follow-up
- Parental guidance and education
Role of a Paediatric Orthopaedic Specialist
Children are not simply small adults. Their bones, joints, and muscles are constantly growing, which means orthopaedic conditions in childhood require specialised expertise. A paediatric orthopaedic surgeon is trained to understand these growth patterns and treat them in a way that can correct deformities without harming normal development.
The surgeon analyses the extent of the deformity, designs the correction plan, and oversees the long-term plan.
Care under a paediatric orthopaedic specialist offers several advantages:
- Accurate diagnosis and staging of the deformity
- Personalised treatment planning for each child
- Safe execution of minor surgeries
- Monitoring of growth and foot development
- Early identification and management of relapse
What Parents Can Expect During Treatment
Most infants begin with weekly casting, where the foot is gently repositioned and supported with a plaster cast. Each cast brings the foot closer to its natural alignment. If required, a brief surgery may follow to release a tight tendon.
This step is often included in free clubfoot treatment surgery in India programmes and is typically performed as a day-care surgery. After correction, the child wears a brace to maintain the new position.
Throughout this process, families can expect:
- Regular hospital visits during the casting phase
- Clear guidance on home care and hygiene
- Education on brace use and compliance
- Follow-ups to monitor progress
- Emotional support and counselling.
Conclusion
Clubfoot is a treatable disorder, and with proper medical intervention, children can enjoy regular mobility and an assured future. Free clubfoot movement programmes across the nation have changed the normalcy of care delivery so that financial constraints no longer prevent any child from receiving care.
Sarvodaya Hospital, Faridabad, is a reliable institution for paediatric orthopaedic services, offering detailed assessment, advanced correction methods, and straightforward advice to families. Qualified specialists under the best paediatric orthopaedic surgeons lead the hospital in caring for children at all stages of clubfoot treatment, from diagnosis through long-term follow-up.
Take the first step towards a healthy future and book an appointment now for expert evaluation and personalised guidance.
