What is metatarsus adductus?
Metatarsus adductus is a curve in the foot. This is best seen if you look at the sole of your child’s foot, shown in the accompanying drawing. If your child has metatarsus adductus, you may notice it while he or she is still a baby. The curve in the foot is probably caused before the baby is born, when the feet are pressed into this position inside the uterus. In 9 out of 10 children with this problem, the feet straighten as the children grow up. Your doctor may show you how to stretch the baby’s foot to help the foot get straighter. If the foot shape is very curved or the curve doesn’t go away, your doctor may treat your baby by putting casts or braces on the feet to help stretch them into a straight position. Doctors have different ideas about when the casts or braces should be put on, but many think that if the feet are still curved when the child is 4 to 6 months old, casting or bracing should be started. It should be finished before the child reaches normal walking age. If the fee
