Abduction
A motion that pulls away from the midline of the body.
Achilles tendon (heel cord)
A tendon that connects muscle to bone and stretches from the bones of your heel to your calf muscles.
Adduction
A motion that pulls toward the midline of the body.
ADM
Abduction dorsiflexion mechanism.
ATTT
Anterior tibialus tendon transfer.
AFO
Ankle-foot orthosis.
Atypical/complex clubfoot
Having a short, fat, or swollen foot, rigid equinus, short and hyperextended (points up) first toe, a crease across the sole of the foot and a deep crease above the heel, heel area is rigidly tilted inward, foot rigidly flexed downward and the heel cord is very tight, wide and long, calf muscle is very small and bunched under the back of the knee.
BCF
Bilateral clubfoot.
Bilateral
Both feet are affected.
Botox
Botox may be injected in to the calf muscle to weaken the Achilles tendon so that full correction of the clubfoot can be achieved.
Cavus
Abnormally high or exaggerated arch of the foot.
CFO
Custom foot orthotics.
Congenital
Present at birth.
CTEV
Congenital Talipes Equinovarus (congenital-present at birth, Talipes-foot and ankle, Equino-foot pointing down, Varus-heel turning inward).
DAFO
Dynamic ankle-foot orthosis.
Dimeglio scale
Provides an additional method of assessing each component of the clubfoot deformity.
Dorsiflexion
Flexing the foot in an upward position.
Dorsi Ramp
Device used to help to stretch the Achilles tendon and calf muscles.
DTKAFO
Dynamic torsional knee ankle foot orthosis
Dr. Ignacio Ponseti
(1914-2009) Dr. Ponseti developed a non-surgical method of correcting clubfoot in infants through gentle manipulation of the feet.
Duoderm
A dressing used for the treatment of lightly to moderately draining pressure sores and wounds.
E-Stim
Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) involves the use of a device which transmits an electrical impulse to the skin by way of electrodes.
Equinus
Upward bending motion of the ankle joint is limited (foot pointing down).
External rotation
Turning outwardly or away from the midline of the body.
French Functional Method
Daily manipulation and stretching of the foot, stimulation of underactive muscles and strapping of the foot to hold it in position, all carried out by a physiotherapist.
Idiopathic
The exact cause is unknown.
Inversion
Toward the midline of the body.
KAFO
Knee-ankle foot orthosis.
LCF
Left clubfoot.
Manipulation
To stretch and loosen tight structures.
Miraclefeet
A non-profit organization based in North Carolina that helps to increase access to proper treatment for children born with clubfoot in developing countries. (www.miraclefeet.org)
Molefoam
Helps to prevent sores/friction, self-adhesive, cut to size, thicker than moleskin.
Moleskin
Helps prevent blisters, self-stick adhesive, can be cut to any size.
Muscle Atrophy
Decrease in the mass of the muscle.
Orthotist
Primary medical clinician responsible for the prescription, manufacture and management of orthoses.
OT
Occupational therapy.
Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgeon
Evaluate and treat musculoskeletal (bone, joint, or muscle) problems in a child.
PFS
Plantar flexion stop.
PIA
Ponseti International Association (www.ponseti.info).
Pirani scale
A tool used for assessing the severity of each of the components of a clubfoot.
Plantar Flexion
Flexing the foot downward.
PMR
Posteromedial release surgery.
Podiatrist
The study, diagnosis, and medical and surgical treatment of disorders of the foot, ankle and lower extremity.
Pressure Saddles
“Pringles” they attach to the middle strap of the Mitchell boots to provide additional relief from pressure areas.
Pronation
Inward roll of the foot during normal motion.
PT
Physical therapy.
RCF
Right clubfoot.
Relapse
Reverting back to its original state.
Shriners Hospitals
Provide care to children with neuromusculoskeletal conditions, burn injuries and other special healthcare needs without regard to race, color, creed, sex or sect, disability, national origin or ability of a patient or family to pay.
SMO
Supra malleolar orthosis.
Supination
The outward roll of the foot during normal motion.
Talipes
The Latin word compounded from talus (ankle) + pes (foot).
Tenotomy
Tendon release, tendon lengthening, heel cord release, the division of the Achilles tendon.
Ponseti Method
A manipulative technique that corrects congenital clubfoot without invasive surgery.
UCF
Unilateral clubfoot.
Unilateral
One foot is affected.
Varus
Bent or twisted inward.
Vertical Talus
The talus bone has formed in the wrong position and other foot bones to the front of the talus have shifted on top of it. The front of the foot points up and may even rest against the front of the shin.
