Metatarsus Adductus in Infants

Metatarsus Adductus in Infants

Bringing home your new baby should be a joyous occasion. You have been united with the little life you created and everything is new and exciting. But two out of every 1,000 parents get a bit of a shock once their baby comes into the world. After the doctors' evaluation, they discover that your little bundle of joy is suffering from a foot deformity. This deformity, Metatarsus Adductus (MTA), is actually one of the most common foot deformities in infants and the doctors probably don’t seem too worried. 

When the doctors examined your baby, they noticed that the infant's foot and toes were severely angled toward the middle, creating a C-shape border along the foot. The splay can occur between the “great” and second toes. The skin also had a cleft on the midfoot. The doctors immediately decide to continue their examination and run some more tests.

“V” Finger Test

One such test that they will conduct on your infant is the “V” finger test. This test is exactly as it sounds. First the doctor takes the heel of the infant’s foot and places it inside the “V” that is made up of the podiatrist's middle and index fingers. They inspect the infant’s plantar arch. They look to see how it aligns in order to determine if the infant has MTA and how severe it is. Once the diagnosis is confirmed, they can start to treat the infant.

Treatment

The treatment depends on the severity of the case. Some cases can resolve completely by age one. If it needs to be addressed, a podiatrist can instruct the parents to use stretching and exercises at every diaper change. These exercises and stretches are designed to help the foot heal and re-form over time as it grows. The stretch starts with the stabilization of the heel. Then the foot is extended and gently pushed into the correct position.

Many cases of MTA have very good prognoses. In more severe cases they can lead to hammertoes, bunions, and other disorders.

If you think your infant is suffering from MTA, bring them to Family Foot & Ankle Care, PC in Chandler, Arizona right away. Dr. Alan J. Discont and Dr. Krahn can help your infant get the treatment that he or she needs. Call 480-732-0033 or make an appointment online today. Your baby's foot health is important to us. Let us help.