Newborn diagnosis

Your baby's first clubfoot appointments

You do not need to understand every stage at once. Start by finding out what the assessment shows, who will coordinate care and what the next appointment is for.

Parents hold their newborn together at home.

What the team is assessing

Your clinical team confirms the diagnosis and checks whether the clubfoot appears isolated or is associated with another condition.

  • The assessment includes the feet and a wider examination of your baby; the team may also ask about family history.
  • The findings guide whether any further assessment is needed and how treatment is planned.

Agree the next appointment

Clubfoot treatment commonly begins soon after birth. Ask the team when your baby should be seen and who will provide Ponseti care. If your child is already older or a referral has been delayed, contact a specialist team for an assessment rather than assuming treatment is no longer possible.

Find care and support in India →

Look beyond the first cast

The journey includes gradual correction with casts, tenotomy if needed, then bracing to maintain the correction and follow-up as your child grows. Ask about brace access early, alongside the plan for casting.

Understand casting and what follows →

Bring what will help

  • Bring available scan, referral and medical records, plus your questions.
  • Discuss travel, cost and caregiver arrangements before they become barriers to appointments.
  • Write down the next appointment and who to contact between visits.

For your next appointment

Questions for your clinical team

  1. What does the assessment tell us about my baby's clubfoot?
  2. Who will carry out treatment, and what happens at the next visit?
  3. How will we obtain the brace and have its fit reviewed?
  4. Who should we contact if we have concerns between appointments?

Sources

Sources used for the Happy Feet guidance on this site.

Where you are now · Newborn diagnosis

Current viewNewborn diagnosis

Explore the treatment journey

The treatment overview brings together serial casting, tenotomy if needed, and bracing. Your clinical team can explain the plan for your child.