Living With Clubfoot + What Shoes I Wear As An Adult
Yup, I was born with a birth defect. That sounds horrible, a ‘defect’ as if I was a broken baby. But yeah, both my feet were malformed at birth.
If you wouldn’t know, you wouldn’t notice anything weird at first – only the 12 cm (4’ 7”) scars on my heels & my small calves give it away if you look closely.
But it actually does affect my ability to stand, walk and balance. I am so jealous of my partner, who can literally hike on flip-flops.
Yes, I am fortunate I don’t have to wear orthopedic shoes, but I do need insoles in order to function correctly. And insoles don’t fit in sandals… so my feet are always ‘trapped’ in closed toe shoes until I found the PERFECT solution…
What is CTEV aka Clubfoot?
If you found this article via Google and you were born with clubfoot too, feel free to scroll past this section!
Clubfoot is a malformed foot or two malformed feet, pointing down and inward; officially called Congenital Talipes Equino Varus (CTEV).
So glad they have a fancy name for it, clubfoot (and especially the Dutch translation) isn’t such a great term. Since clubfoot is a birth defect, almost all articles on the internet are written for expectant or young parents: it’s all about the babies.
1 out of 1000 babies is born with clubfoot and men are affected twice as often as women (note: I don't believe in gender binary, but the stats are what they are for now).
I’m one very special gal because I was born with bilateral clubfoot (yes, that’s double the fun). Although I think I’m happy I don’t have a “good” foot and a “defect” foot – I don’t think comparing the two would do me any good.
The exact cause of clubfoot is unclear, but it might be genetics in my case – my grandma was born with bilateral clubfoot as well.
My Grandma Blamed Herself For My Defect
Subconsciously this might be my biggest motivation to travel the world and prove to everyone I can do anything because my grandma couldn’t.
She was born in a time they break both feet in order to correct them. And although she did have very good years and did quite some hiking too, nowadays, she doesn’t go out of the house anymore.
Her feet hurt too much, and she can’t stand or walk for more than a few minutes. So when I was born, she was devastated.
She thought I was going to undergo the same fate, and she was to blame.
Better Treatment
Luckily for me, they don’t break feet anymore. My feet were cast shortly after I was born, in order to improve the position. After 5 months I got surgery, my Achilles tendon was extended through a Posteromedial Release Surgery.
Afterwards, I wore braces until the age of four, I did physical therapy for quite a while and went to the orthopedist for yearly checkups until I was about 13. I’m one of the ‘good’ cases, my surgery was exemplary, and I never needed another one.
Nowadays, there is an even better option to treat clubfoot: the Ponseti method. It’s a manipulative technique that corrects the foot without invasive surgery. It really only gets better!
Traveling & Living with Clubfoot
So how are my ‘defect’ feet doing? Well, I know my ankles are stiffer than ‘normal’ ones, as I cannot bend my leg/foot more than a 90 degrees angle (dorsiflexion of 0 degrees that is).
And apparently my feet are slightly less mobile, my balance is off (but I practice ballet for a long time, which helped me a lot) and I get tired more quickly.
But how would I know? These are the only feet I’ve ever known, and I can’t try out someone else’s feet for a day.
Therefore, I’m happy to say my feet are doing so well - the best I’ve ever known my feet to be! It definitely took some time to figure out what my feet need.
From a young age, I wear insoles (eeeew, right?). These helped me correct my posture – as the clubfoot treatment overcompensated a bit and I, therefore, got flat feet (yaaas, also incredibly hot).
Best Shoes for Clubfoot Adults
I'm going to share with you what I have found to be the best shoes for my feet. This is NOT medical advice, this is what works for me, and it might work for others who were born with clubfoot, but no guarantees.
Oh boy, did I walk in ugly shoes when I was young (no mum, it’s not your fault!), they all had to be sturdy and solid – two of the things you DON’T want as a kid.
The insoles I got as a child were ugly too – and they were light colored, so they got gross quickly. They also didn’t fit in all shoes, so my choice was always limited.
And still, I had persistent heel-pain and ankle-stiffness throughout most of my youth.
Very late in my teenage years I finally figured out flat shoes were causing my persistent heel-pain and ankle-stiffness: a simple ¾ inch / 2 cm heel was the solution and releases the tension of my Achilles.
Hiking Shoes
My mum was right about sturdy and solid, I find I need some ankle-support if I’m going for proper hikes. I LOVE walking in hiking shoes because they simply are really comfy – I can walk around for days without any troubles.
I walk in Lowa Renegade hiking shoes, which offer great ankle support and are slightly elevated. I actually have thicker insoles now, to lighten the heel-pain, and they easily fit.
But for the simple city exploring (& for taking lovely photos) I rather not wear those bulky shoes!
City Shoes
For simple city shoes, I go to a normal shoe store. I have a sort of checklist to check if they will work.
I make sure to get shoes that have heels of at least ¾ inch / 2 cm, and support my ankles (don't have to be tight). I also press the back of the heel to check if they will be strong enough (my heels press outwards when I walk).
For me, normal sport shoes DO NOT work because they are too flat. I need high heel sport shoes (but I have to admit: I don't sport).
My Insoles & SANDALS!
I'm based in Europe, in the Netherlands. I get my insoles custom-made by a podiatrist and I highly recommend this.
The insoles are made for my feet, to correct my posture, and because of my insoles, I can wear any shoe I want and still get the right support from my insoles (in combination with the elevated heels and ankle support).
In the Netherlands, I use Hallux Practices, a partnership between podiatrists all over the Netherlands. Hallux’s vision is to make the world healthier and happier – and well, that resonates with me!
These podiatrists treat people with foot complaints or complaints regarding posture and movement system (knees/hips/lower back), stemming from abnormal functioning and/or deviating position of the feet.
Insoles can be the solution to correct this, but sometimes shoe-advice or exercises are enough to resolve the pain. So amongst other things, they make amazing insoles. The insoles are classy (you can even pick colors) and fit in nearly all shoes (depending on the insole though).
Wherever you are located: go find a podiatrist nearby to get you your insoles. NOTE: this is only a suggestion for people who wear regular shoes and still experience pain. If you need orthopedic shoes, I'm NOT suggesting switching to insoles.
The BIG problem with insoles is, you can never wear sandals. And believe me; on a nice stroll on the beaches in Thailand (& an average of 33° Celsius, 91 °F) you really hate closed toe shoes.
So when my Hallux podiatrist launched her partnership with FITS Footwear I got so excited. I know orthopedic shoes don’t have to be ugly nowadays, but well, they often are.
So I never thought about getting customized sandals before, until this opportunity arose. FITS offers models much like Birkenstock (aren’t I lucky those weird shoes are hot right now) and my podiatrist can simply send the design of my insoles to FITS, and they make the sandal with my insoles.
FITS collaborates with many Dutch and Belgium foot specialists, so having them made was never this easy.
My order took a while though, as I ordered them in summer (busy time!), but it was all worth the wait. The sandals are comfy and classy and my toes were never this happy: FRESH AIR!
Wherever you are located: make sure to check the options with your podiatrist! I know there are other options like sticky insoles. Call podiatrists nearby to ask what they recommend.
Thank you for reading my incredibly personal story. My feet used to be one of my biggest insecurities. But I'm so happy that they got me where I am today.
If you're still struggling with your search for the perfect shoes, or want to share your story, please comment below!
Connect with other adults
Over time, I've had great responses to this article and I decided to open a Facebook group for adults with clubfoot. Because my experience is not everyone else's experience. I believe we can learn from, help, and support each other. Join the community on Facebook.
You can also find me on my Instagram account @maartjehensen and send me a DM!
PIN THIS ARTICLE
Thanks for sharing your personal experience with us. Clubfoot, also known as congenital talipes equinovarus, is a developmental deformity of the foot. It is one of the most common birth deformities with an incidence of 1.2 per 1000 live births each year in the white population.
Thanks for clarifying!
I was also born with bilateral club feet my left foot was over 60 degrees backwards and my right foot was around 45 degrees backwards ive had 13 surgeries thus far (currently 21) and been told my entire life ill need corrective heal surgery by the time im in my 30s. Really my question is how did you get the opportunity to travel and hike and see the world thats all I've ever wanted to do.
Hi Dylan! Thank you so much for your response. I must admit my bilateral clubfeet weren't as severe as yours and I was very lucky with my surgery. I only had one and as mentioned, I'm all "good" with my insoles. May I ask how your 'normal' walking is, how mobile you are? I feel like I've become better because I did more. I got a standing job and the first day my feet were sooo painful after my shift I thought: omg I can never do a standing job. But I really wanted it and over time, my feet got used to it and it got easier. For me, pushing my limits helps. But of course, make sure it's healthy and you're not in too much pain! If you want, we could have a chat about this! You can find me on our Instagram @onceuponajrny or on email [email protected] ❤️
I was born with bilateral clubbed feet, too. Double the fun., for sure. I had the achilles release as an infant. But I was born in a less developed country, and my case was a bit more severe. I had extensive corrective surgery after my family moved to the USA. Two more surgeries on my left ankle when I was in high school helped to ensure best quality of life for me and my feet. I'm looking at orthotics in my very near future, but that's a small price to pay. During this lifetime already, I've been able to hike the Grand Canyon, climb mountains, climb pyramids, and even complete a marathon. I just live constantly appreciative of what my feet CAN do now, not just the ways that they hurt or the things they may never be able to do. It's always encouraging to hear of others who live fully with the same "defect." 🙂
Thank you so so much for sharing your story! This is so powerful! I believe many kids and parents need examples like us!
Oh my word!!
I have been searching the internet for years on stories of people with bilateral club foot or just any stories that aren't about infants lol. So when I found this site I almost lost my mind!!?? I just turned 24 years old last month and because of the pandemic we've had to stay indoors. I never thought I'd miss walking around so much. My biggest issue has always been the fact that my calves are itty bitty and there's nothing much I can do about that and it became an insecurity for me so I don't really wear shorts outside ?. The second has been the pain but I walk so much that I think my feet adjusted. I'm just really grateful that I can even walk so I do it as often as I possibly can.
P.s. not that it matters but I'm from Zambia. There isn't much awareness of the condition and so people go untreated their entire lives. My dad's a doctor and because of that I got the best treatment that was available at the time and I can walk really" well".
Hi Jabulani! Thanks so much for your comment! This makes me so happy to hear. My calves are small too but I don't mind it too much. They look better when I wear heels haha. I love wearing long pants / long skirts anyways, but I don't necessarily want to hide them. I don't love my scars but they're part of me and my journey! Feel free to add me on Facebook (Maartje Hensen) if you want to have a chat. Xx
Can u tell me can u wear high heels also
Hi Priya! Yes I can, but I don't walk in high heels a lot because it will cause my Achilles to become shorter - after a night on high heel sI really need to walk 'flat' for a day to compensate.
It's so insane to hear your story as it's almost identical to mine. I only had the one surgery on both feet at birth and haven't had to have another yet. I definitely haven't continued to see a specialist or used any shoe insoles either. Now, in my 30s, I'm finding my ankles and feet are worse every day. I stand all day at work and was wondering if you have any recommended shoes that have worked for you. Athletic shoes are what I'm leaving towards. Any help is much appreciated!
Hi Emma! Thanks for your message! I do use insoles and I find my feet hurt a lot (+ I'm tired) after a day of walking in the house without my insoles/shoes, so I know they help me a lot. Shoes that work best for me have a little heel (4 cm / 1.6 inch) and have support for/around my ankles (doesn't have to be super tight, but just that it's there). While traveling I wore my hiking shoes a lot and I could walk for DAYS with that support. Obviously, they aren't classy so I haven't found the solution for that yet. I can't do athletic shoes since they're too flat for me. Or I could, with my elevated insoles (but then the fitting is tricky). Hope this helps! Xx
@Emma, I know you commented ages ago so you might not see this, but I have athletic shoes that I highly recommend; they’re Saucony Echelons. A man who also had bilateral clubfoot suggested them for me since he was well aware of the problems that arise from clubfoot even after “correction.” They are slightly elevated towards the back, orthotic friendly, and have a very sturdy heel area that holds your heels in place like a cast would. They are also straight-soled instead of curved-soled, which means that they don’t curve inwards at the arch like most shoes do. If your feet roll out of the curved shoes like mine do, then these will become your feet’s (and body’s) best friend.
I used to have to replace my expensive athletic shoes every few months; I was destroying them between my feet rolling inwards where my arch should be and my heels turning outwards. With the Echelons, I don’t have those problems. I only have to replace the insoles I put in them once they are too worn down. It’s a money saver, plus my body is finally aligned when I walk.
Saucony Echelons aren’t cheap, but they are so, so worth it. They come in good neutral colors too. They are roomy and wide to compensate for the added bulk of insoles, but I recommend trying them on in a store and bringing in the insoles you intend on using just to make sure you get the right size (if you do buy them). Best of luck, and I hope this helps you!
@Annie, Are you still wearing Echelons? also, I’m wondering what inserts you use ?
I was also born with club foot. My right foot only. In the 70s I was operated upon and my foot was corrected nicely except it left an ugly scar. On my Achilles. Due to the club foot my right foot is shorter than my right foot. It’s difficult to wear open toe shoes or sandals. Even though o am extremely grateful I am able to wear shoes and sandals it is still frustrating. I wish I too can just be normal lady. I limp as a result of unbalanced feet and due to shoes or sandals not being balanced. I too have to put in rugs or paper towels inside my right shoe to make it feet. I don’t even notice o limp until some ask “why are you limping” and sometimes it’s just embarrassing to explain. I feel comfortable wearing heels but it’s uncomfortable too because one foot is smaller. I too need a solution to this. I wish people are not so judgement. Especially in the USA where girls have to be perfect to find a man!
Hi Nell, I'm so sorry to hear about your struggles. I think there are ways to fill up your shoes or get bigger soles? I hope you find ways to feel better about this, and please note that no one is perfect and girls absolutely shouldn't be 'perfect' for men! I do pretty well with my lady by my side 😉 And she accepts all my good things and the bad.
Hi Nell,
I have the same issue as you! My left foot being born clubbed and as a result, almost 2 whole sizes smaller than the other. I have recently purchased “forefoot inserts” that I found for literally $2.00 on eBay and I insert them into my shoes. This helps to make them fit better. Also, Nordstrom sell two different size shoes for the same price - unlike anywhere else I have found.
I was also born in the 70’s and have only one foot impacted. I’ve never had luck finding shoes or insoles. Mine seems to get worse the older I get, especially after the baby weight from my two kids. Not sure which is harder... trying to keep up with people that can walk the entire day at a zoo or theme park (meanwhile I won’t even be able to step on my foot the next day) or watching elegant women wear gorgeous heels that I will NEVER be able to wear. It is hard! I also joined a club foot Facebook page but all they always were recommending amputation and it freaked me out! So I was glad to see this page which felt kore positive and inspiring. I’m past the “I’ll hike Kilimanjaro” but would still love if someone could share links to shoes and insoles that work for them. Whenever someone simply mentions by name, I’m never able to locate!
Hey Rayna, thank you for your comment! I know that feeling about Facebook groups - maybe we should start a new one that's more uplifting and helpful? A Dutch company makes my insoles, so I don't think that's going to be very helpful to you. I hope you can connect to others that have helpful tips!
i am pleased to read this, i lived in Nigeria, though my parent tried all they could to correct my case of club foots but to no avail, there is no much awareness and doctors arent that perfect in doing such in this part of the world, i have been living with it right from birth, i am able to walk but cant wear fashionable shoes or do something special, i want to know if club feets can be corrected in adulthood, i am in my late 20s, if you have any suggestion or idea on how to go about it you can mail me or contact me [email protected] or +2347037658729 thanks.
Thanks so much for sharing! I have no idea personally how to go about that but it might be worth it to look into different surgeries available in other countries!
I was born with bilateral club feet as well. Had corrective surgery when I was an infant, which left me with a now 12 inch scar on each ankle. I was in casts for six months then wore the corrective shoes with the bar for years. My sister would call me a penguin! I'm 28 years old now and luckily I have never had to have any more surgeries. I've definitely had balance issues, weak ankles along with my heels and ankles getting very stiff. These toe stretchers called yoga toes were a game changer for me as far as pain and balance goes, even helped improve my arches. For a long time I was insecure about my scars but now I embrace them and I'm proud to tell people about my "defect". I don't like that word though. I actually want to get my scars tattoed over as flower vines. We aren't defective, we are walking warriors!
Thank you for your comment! I feel the same! The scars made me who I am today and I'm pretty proud of that!!
Hi Angelique. Would you mind sharing more about the Yoga Toes and where I can find them?
Thank you for sharing this! I am 35 years old and born with a right club foot, also wore the ugly but very helpful shoes post surgery as a little girl.. I am now having a lot of pain in my foot and having trouble finding the right shoe to be able to continue being active which is really hard now a days. I looked up the sandal site you recommended and only found measuring points in Europe. I am in California, any recommendations of a any other shoes or online sites? Thanks again for sharing!
Hey Melissa! Sorry to hear that! I personally don't have experience getting supportive shoes or soles in the States. I hope some other readers might be able to help you. What might help is to join clubfoot facebook groups - I joined a few adult groups and a lot of people in there are from the States!
Hi thank you for sharing this I'm currently 29 years with bilateral clubfeet . I'm ashamed because my legs are way too big that makes my feet looks really small and fat anyway I do wear sneakers I can't wear heels or sandals my feet are really bad. Other than that I work I can stand eight hours a day and workout after wards I can take long walks ,hike run a bit. My first born inherited the clubfoot on his left side but at least he does not feel bad I always make him feel better coz he's not alone .
That is so good to hear - it definitely does not have to be a 'bad' thing!!
Thank you for sharing I was starting to think I was crazy or weak or something. I am in my late 30s and recently I have found that most shoes don't help keep my feet from hurting, I can't even walk around one store without leaving in pain. I was born with clubfeet in both of my feet, I didn't need surgery, I just had casts on my feet as a baby to fix the problem. I am self-conscious because I know that if I stand up straight my right leg is slightly bowed and I have had knee pain in my right knee since high school. I also have flat feet. I have to have dress shoes for work and I had to find some that I could put an insole into, it was very hard to find dress shoes especially since my heel is narrow and so many shoes won't stay on my feet or become too tight. I also have to be careful because my feet constantly seem to want to land on the side of my feet and not the bottom. My ankles are extremely bendable. I can't wear heels anymore since they hurt too much from the start. Right now I am sitting with a heating pad on my right foot because it is hurting since I had to do a little bit of standing at work which causes pain more often than not.
I am really so so sorry to hear about your pain! I have no idea what I might or might not be able to do in the future, but I try to stay in the moment and be grateful for what I can do. Have you ever considered getting insoles? It might help you with your pain - as it will correct your posture and feet from your soles and it can make all the difference!
Thanks for writing this. I am the eldest son of a family that had no prior clubfoot deformity. I was born with bilateral club feet. Luckily my parents went to an orthopod that performed surgery on me when I was just a couple months old correcting the issue. Later my 2 younger brothers were also born with bilateral club feet and the orthopod surgically corrected those as well. My dad has 2 daughters with another lady that is not my mum. One of those daughters has 2 girl children that were born with bilateral clubfeet. Those were corrected by the Ponseti method. I am 50 years old now. Clubfeet is totally 100% curable.
Thank you for sharing your story Vaughn! Happy to hear you are doing so well. It absolutely depends on the severity of the clubfoot, but I believe the care gets better and better!!
Hi, my name is Cindy and it is very difficult to find a current site to comment on about this subject. I was born with a club foot in 1966. My left foot was literally curled up into a ball. I had 3 surgeries as an infant and my youth. I wore "special shoes" up until 12th grade. I got harassed and bullied throughout my school days=even in high school. In my adult years, I went to a few orthopedic doctors who tell me...well it looks as good as it is going to get...wear an ankle brace and good shoes. For pain, I am only told to take ibuprofen. I get pain on top of my bad left foot close to where it bends at the ankle when I "overdo it" ....BUT its my good RIGHT leg I have the most issues with. I feel it is due to the fact that I have favored my good leg all my life and put most of my weight on the right side because my left leg/f00t has always been smaller and much weaker.. I get a lot of muscle aches/pains/cramps in my right leg, I have arthritis in my right knee and developed bursitis in my right hip. And what do doctors today tell me? Just get rest on painful days and take ibuprofen. So, since I get the same ol song and dance from doctors nowadays... I just push on, suck it up and go about my daily routine because I have always refused to let my clubfoot bring me down! Yep I am slower at most activities than other people with two good feet but I don't let it bother me.
Thanks for letting me vent to those who can actually relate to my situation!
Hi Cindy, so sorry to hear about your situation and hearing that no one is able to help you properly. I'm sad that I can't do anything to make it better, but I hope you feel slightly better by getting this off your chest!
@Cindy Fillmore,
Hi Cindy,
I just came upon this site for support of others with like conditions and you are very similar to my story. Born in early 60’s with one club foot. Struggles all my life…. Lost two marriages and one long relationship most likely due to my condition. I do have three wonderful adult children and grandkids which keep me going I guess. It would just be very nice and maybe beneficial to visit with others who have an hour going through life with these conditions?
Take care
All I can say is it’s amazing reading everyone’s Story’s ???????????? i thought i was alone.... i was born with club foot in my right leg and literally i can relate to all of you... I’m 23 years old and usually the pain doesn’t bother me much but lately it’s been getting worse and ive been having a lot of back pain lately....
Thank you for sharing your story! Sorry to hear about your back pain! Have you tried to get help from a physical therapist or doing some strengthening exercises yourself?
Hi Everyone, I was born in the 70's with club feet, had 2 surgeries my feet are flat, heel gives me trouble, ankle gets sore & fatigued. I recently gave up my 8hr shift work as it meant I was standing all day, not a good idea with these feet.
love comfortable fashionable shoes but find it difficult to get both without the high price tag. My feet 'needs' change daily, I wear trainers or rubber soled ankle boots frequently inserting insoles then taking them out mid way of the journey. As I've got older & was doing a job standing up all day it has worsened my symptoms. I'm looking at exercises to strengthen knee & ankle. I daily have feet massages & stretches, I find that when I dont take my vit d & magnesium supplements regularly i end up with stiff ankles & knees.
I was born with severe clubfoot or, as my family has always called it, club feet. My feet were turned in at about 90 degrees and the outsides of my feet were where the bottoms should have been. I was put in massive casts all the way up my legs when I was three days old, and I underwent an achilles release and minor foot reconstruction when I was about 1 and a half. I then wore corrective shoes every day and night. Every night, a single metal bar was bolted to both of them to keep my feet in a forced outward position, and I slept that way. I then wore the typical braces that most people with club feet wear.
At 5 years old my feet were still horrible, so I had a massive surgery that completely reconstructed my feet. The surgery was so big that I had to stay in the hospital overnight. I was put on the max amount of pain kiIIers that a 5 year old could have, but the pain was still so excruciating. I remember trying to watch Beauty and The Beast to distract myself, but I ended up crying every couple of minutes each time I experienced a reoccurring shockwave of pain in my feet. The scars took up the entirety of the top, inner side, and bottom of each foot. I was put in casts that went up past my knees and had them on for 6 weeks. I then underwent a couple of years of physical therapy to learn how to walk without falling over.
For years after, my foot development was closely watched. I was so fortunate that my city’s children’s hospital is one of the best in the U.S. I only needed one major surgery because they hooked me up with one of the best clubfoot specialists out there who worked with some of the worst cases from all over the world.
I don’t know if you have any other “defects”, but I was also born with macrocrania, a growth hormone deficiency, and a very rare condition in which my teeth have had practically no enamel since they first came out. It’s a long story, but I was also declared a genetic anomaly by a geneticist who said that the only explanation for my genetic makeup is that I have “Anna Reynolds Syndrome”, which is my name.
Like you, I deal with lots and lots of foot pain. I spent years in flat kids shoes because that’s all I could fit into. My feet are now just big enough that I can fit into the smallest women’s shoe size in the U.S. (a 5), which are very hard to find. I was constantly breaking in my running shoes because not only do my heels turn out, but my feet also roll in. I finally found a pair of orthotic friendly gym shoes. They are Saucony Echelons, and they keep my heels from turning out and my feet from rolling in. I have a lot of insecurities about the way my feet look due to the way people have stared at them, so I don’t really like wearing any type of open-toed shoes out in public. Your feet don’t look that bad; mine look like blob fish. I also can’t walk in heels that are taller than a half-inch unless they are booties, in which case I can go a little taller. Shoe shopping is a nightmare since I will go to every store that carries 5s and try on over 200 pairs of shoes without ever finding ones that fit. It’s a real struggle, and between that and the foot pain, I can call my feet a disability. I am currently working a full-time job in which I am standing, and it’s been rough, but my feet are getting stronger. My balance is improving and I’m finally starting to gain some strength in my calves. My manager has been incredibly accommodating, which I am very appreciative of.
My rant is over. One last thing: I, like you, love the outdoors. I have a pair of hiking boots which I have worn enough to have broken in. However, I can’t do any hills without experiencing actual internal bruising all round my ankles where my boots hit them. No matter how tight I tie my boots, they are still too loose, which is allowing my ankles to hit the top of my boots repeatedly. I’ve tried looking up solutions, but no articles have anything having to do with ankle soreness/bruising as a result of ankles being too small. I don’t think finding different boots will fix it, and I can’t switch to shoes since I need the ankle support. I can’t risk twisting my ankles since I can’t lock my ankles or feet. Do you have any suggestions based on your personal experience of how I can keep my boots from bruising my ankles?
Hi Annie, thank you SO MUCH for sharing your story, it sounds like it's been a wild ride for you! Sorry to hear about all the pain, and the bruising is not something I have experience with myself. The one thing I can now think of, is to use leg warmers (maybe double folded?) or something to make the boots fit your ankles and soften it? And otherwise, maybe orthopedic shoes that have smaller ankle support? Stay strong, and again: thanks so much for sharing.
Hi my son is 2 and daughter 9months old. She has metatarsus adductus and he has mild clubfoot but his feet face together only when he walks. I was wondering what you suggested I could do to help my son. My daughters currently undergoing the pomsentti treatment which in a way I wish had been offered to my son also.
Thank you for your comment! I am in no way an expert or doctor, so I don't feel comfortable giving you advice on this - as I'm not licensed to do so. Please consult with the doctor that recommended the surgery for your daughters, I'm sure they can give you the best advice.
Thank you for writing about this . Can you tell me if you found high heels that work. My 14 year old daughter ( severe bilateral club feet) wants to get one pair and We haven’t been able to. They don’t have to be high , any height would be great . Of course they need support and have covered toes . She doesn’t like open toed shoes for now maybe when she grows older she won’t care as much.
Good day Maartje Hensen.
I am really inspired by your story and I'm glad that you share this with some other people with the same deformity. I was born with clubfoot and since we live in the Rural area in the Philippines it took years before the surgery happened. We don't have any chance to get a therapy or to have a yearly consultation with the doctor because it's far away in our place so I left my place and move the city when i was 15years of age and 2021 this year i consult with the doctor and told me that it should be correct before 18 years old (I'm 24 now) so he advice me to add insole in 1.5 and do more exercise that help me to gain more strength to add muscles. I'm still looking for the best shoes that are comfortable to my feet. I still struggle in my balance and I often stumble.
I been bullied the whole time since i struggled to walking and balance, I experience discriminations especially that i create videos and they thought i cant deliver my job well so i decide to change my career that fits on me and thank God that I have a lot of skills and move to motion graphics artist.
It's really hard for me/us to have this kind of situation, especially that I'm the first one who got this deformity in our family. I am afraid to have some kids that he/she might inherit this and experience the same thing. I'm glad that I receive love from my friends, family and partner. They accept me for who I am. I can say that whatever challenges we face as long as we choose our circle of friends and the job fits us we will never feel this kind of unwarranted.
Thank you for your wonderful tips.
Thank you so much for sharing your story with me and other readers!! I can't even imagine what life must be like for you. I'm happy to hear you have loving people around you, which is super powerful!
I am 83 , and I was born with a severe case of bilateral clubfeet. I I had surgery from two weeks old until I was 21.
Despite the pain , and the humiliation of being stared at and made fun of , I earned two masters degrees, lived and worked on three continents, and traveled in 41 countries.
I have had dogs for 40 years whom I have always taken for walks.
My point is just keep on walking until you can’t anymore. I buy New Balance shoes which require orthopedic adjustments, and I shave custom orthotics. I’ve never been able to wear sandals or pretty shoes but at 83 I wouldn’t be doing that anyway 🤪
Thank you for sharing your inspiring story!!!
Wow, I relate soooo much with your post, it's like you have the exact same story as mine! I might as well have write this lol hiking shoes are the best , i would like soo much to wear high heels wich I cannot because one of my feet tends to bend on the side so I need wide not so high heels if I want to wear some, thanks a lot to you for sharing your story, I feel less alone with my feet pain xox
Hi Bianca, thank you so much for your comment. It means so much!!
Hi ! I was born with clubbed feet also & saw that you & some of the other women are able to wear high heels & point your feet .. I’m in my early 20s & have always felt left out because can’t easily wear them . I wanted to know , have you always been able to wear them or do you do exercises to strengthen you feet & ankles ? I’ve been recently trying to strengthen my feet to see if any flexibility will come over time . 🤞🏾
Hi Bebe! Sorry to hear! I think ballet has strengthened my ankles a lot, but it might be that my feet and ankles were able to do it anyways. Hope your exercising helps!!
Hi! Thanks for sharing! I was born with one clubfoot which gives me discomfort after alot of use. It may also have significantly contributed to a knee problem in my other leg which compensates for my weaker calf.
I'm wondering what you do indoors? Do you wear slippers or pad around in socks?
Hi Andrew! Indoors I wear slippers, yes. As a kid, I had Birkenstock slippers as 'indoor' shoes, but now I don't. If I am standing for a longer time (i.e. cooking) I do decide to wear my shoes with insoles, as I feel my feet hurt more otherwise.
Thank you for sharing your story, my son was born with talipes and he was (4weeks old) placed into full plaster casts from groin to toes for 6mths, then had his 1st operation which wasn't successful and so after healing he received his second operation (8mths) on his archilles tendon, 2nd was better but his right foot was still turned in and he constantly tripped as a result. (Still to this day 16yrs later he has problems with his feet, legs, calves, and hips..his mobility, he just wants to be like his peers but can't)
After the 2 surgeries he was placed into bar and boots (ponsetti treatment) whereby he was in this steel bar leather strapped boots for 23hrs a day, then eventually down to bedtime only. My son could eventually get rid of the bar and boots he detested at almost 4yrs old. He was allowed to throw them in the bin by his orthopaedic consultant.
Such a Traumatic time, which has impacted my son.
Ponsetti was a "new treatment" but my son and a local girl who we have kept contact, as we were taking our kids to get treatment, (for what I was told after his birth was bit of pyshio! It was all a huge shock and many tears) the wee local girl and my son are still suffering from this new treatment.
Thank you for sharing this story, so sorry to hear about the traumatic experiences and suffering. I hope your kid will grow into a great human and learns more about what works for him. While society may tell us something else, I think it can be a strength to be 'different'. I'm very glad to hear he's had a friend throughout the process. Wish you all the best!
Thank you for writing and sharing this article. My 7 year old has unilateral talipes and always struggles with typical school shoes, even wide fit shoes. I wonder if barefoot shoes might work? I will definitely look into insoles.
Thanks for your comment Sarah! The only way to figure it out is to try! Let me know what the experience is!
I noticed as you get older and you have club feet, there is a high probability that you may get ankle arthritis. And if so, it is a daily struggle to walk even short distances. Mind your weight, stay slim, and it helps slow down the progression of arthritis. Wear an ankle bracelet for support. Clubfoot can be debilitating for adults.