Being told your newborn has clubfoot is understandably worrying for any parent, but this is one of the more reassuring diagnoses in pediatric orthopedics, since it responds extremely well to treatment when addressed early, and the large majority of children go on to walk, run, and play with no functional limitation at all. Dr. Ankit Chaudhari at Ashirwad Hospital provides early evaluation and treatment using the Ponseti method, the internationally recognised, non-surgical approach that has become the global standard of care for correcting clubfoot.
Dr. Ankit Chaudhari is an orthopedic surgeon in Surat at Ashirwad Hospital, evaluating and treating congenital and developmental conditions in infants and children as part of comprehensive pediatric orthopedic care in Surat. Families across Surat, including Adajan, Vesu, Athwa, Piplod, Katargam, and Varachha, bring their newborns and infants for clubfoot evaluation and treatment, ideally starting within the first few weeks of life for the best possible outcome.
Clubfoot, medically known as talipes equinovarus, is one of the most common congenital musculoskeletal conditions, affecting roughly 1 in every 1,000 live births, and causing the foot to turn inward and downward at birth. What is important for parents to understand is that clubfoot will not correct on its own and needs a proper treatment plan, but with the right approach started early, it corrects extremely well without the need for major reconstructive surgery in the vast majority of cases.
Because clubfoot correction becomes progressively more difficult the longer treatment is delayed, families are guided to begin evaluation and treatment as early as possible, ideally within the first weeks after birth. Learn more about Dr. Ankit Chaudhari's background and orthopedic experience in Surat, or check orthopedic doctor near Surat with fees.
Clubfoot correction works best when treatment begins in the first few weeks of life, when a newborn's foot ligaments and bones are at their most flexible and responsive to gentle correction.
Treatment follows the internationally recognised Ponseti method — gentle manipulation and casting — avoiding extensive surgical release as the default approach in the large majority of cases.
Weekly casting is scheduled and tracked from the first visit, so parents know exactly what to expect at each stage of the five-to-eight-week correction process.
Since inconsistent brace use is the leading cause of relapse, families receive clear, practical guidance on brace use and ongoing support to address compliance concerns.
Ongoing monitoring continues through early childhood to watch for signs of relapse, with prompt management through repeat casting in most cases if it occurs.
Evaluation, casting, the tenotomy procedure, bracing guidance, and long-term follow-up are all coordinated under Dr. Chaudhari as part of one continuous treatment plan.
Select a topic below to understand what clubfoot is, why it needs treatment, and how the Ponseti method corrects it step by step:
Clubfoot is a congenital condition present at birth, where the foot is twisted out of its normal shape and position, generally involving four specific components working together: the foot points downward, the heel turns inward, the front of the foot curls inward, and the arch is higher than normal. Clubfoot can affect one foot or both, and while the exact cause is not always clear, it can be associated with genetic factors, and in a small number of cases, with an underlying condition such as spina bifida. Most babies with clubfoot are otherwise healthy and have no other bone or joint problems.
Clubfoot care sits alongside the broader foot and ankle orthopedic care in Surat offered at the hospital, since both share an underlying focus on foot structure and function.
Clubfoot involves shortened tendons and muscles on one side of the foot and lower leg, and this structural difference will not resolve without treatment as the child grows. Left untreated, clubfoot leads to significant difficulty walking normally, along with pain and further deformity over time.
The encouraging part is that when treatment begins early, correction is highly successful and allows the child to develop normal walking function. This is why clubfoot is considered one of the more reassuring diagnoses in pediatric orthopedics — the condition itself is serious if left alone, but it responds extremely well to a well-established treatment pathway.
The Ponseti method, developed by Dr. Ignacio Ponseti in the 1940s, is a non-surgical approach that has become the internationally recognised gold standard for treating clubfoot, endorsed by major pediatric orthopedic organisations worldwide. This approach corrects the deformity gradually through gentle manipulation and a series of casts, avoiding the need for extensive surgical release of tendons and ligaments that was previously the standard treatment.
Clubfoot correction works best when treatment begins in the first few weeks of life, since a newborn's foot ligaments and bones are at their most flexible and malleable, making them far more responsive to gentle, gradual correction.
As a child grows, particularly beyond infancy, correction becomes progressively more difficult, and a delayed start can mean a longer treatment course or reduce the likelihood of avoiding more extensive surgery. This is why prompt evaluation, ideally arranged before or immediately after birth, makes a meaningful difference to the overall outcome.
The bracing phase that follows casting is just as important as the casting itself, since a significant number of relapses occur specifically due to inconsistent brace use rather than a failure of the initial correction.
Parents play an active role during this phase, and consistent, correct use of the brace according to the prescribed schedule is one of the most important factors in achieving a lasting result. Ashirwad Hospital provides clear, practical guidance to families on brace use and addresses concerns about compliance throughout this phase.
No. With the Ponseti method, the large majority of clubfoot cases are corrected without major surgery, with most children needing only the minor Achilles tenotomy procedure as part of the overall treatment process.
The Ponseti method follows a well-defined, structured sequence. Here is what families can expect from the first evaluation through to long-term follow-up:
The baby's foot and lower leg are examined to confirm the diagnosis and assess the specific pattern and severity of the deformity. Evaluation is arranged as early as possible, ideally within the first few weeks of life, or even before birth if clubfoot has been identified on prenatal ultrasound.
The foot is gently manipulated and stretched toward a more corrected position, and a long, thigh-to-toe cast is applied to hold the foot in its new position.
The cast is removed and reapplied approximately once a week, with the foot manipulated slightly further into correct position at each change. This process generally continues for around five to eight weeks, gradually bringing the foot into proper alignment.
Most babies require a tenotomy — a minor release of the Achilles tendon performed using local anesthesia — to fully correct the final degree of the deformity.
A final cast is worn for a few weeks to allow the tendon to heal fully before transitioning out of casting altogether.
The baby transitions into a foot abduction brace, worn most of the day initially and tapering to nighttime wear over the following months to years, to maintain the correction and prevent the deformity from returning.
Regular follow-up continues through early childhood to monitor correction and watch for any signs of relapse. If a relapse does occur, early recognition allows it to be addressed with repeat casting in most cases.
Children treated early and consistently with the Ponseti method generally go on to develop feet that are functional, pain-free, and close to typical in appearance, with the ability to walk, run, and participate in normal childhood activities. Long-term studies have shown that children treated with this approach often have more flexible feet compared to those historically treated with extensive surgery.
Families in Surat searching for clubfoot treatment often want reassurance about the treatment approach and confidence that surgery is not the automatic first step. Here is how Ashirwad Hospital approaches this:
Clear explanation that the Ponseti method corrects the large majority of cases without extensive surgery.
Guidance on beginning evaluation and treatment as early as possible, ideally within the first weeks of life.
Step-by-step explanation of the casting timeline and the bracing phase that follows, so nothing feels unpredictable.
Practical guidance on consistent brace use, since inconsistent bracing is the leading cause of relapse.
Honest discussion of next steps, including repeat casting or, in select cases, further surgical evaluation.
This approach reflects common concerns families raise while researching terms such as best clubfoot doctor in Surat, Ponseti method Surat, or clubfoot treatment near me, and is meant to support an informed decision.
If you are searching for a clubfoot doctor near me, or a pediatric orthopedic specialist near me, Ashirwad Hospital is accessible to families across Surat. Whether you are looking for a clubfoot doctor near me in Adajan, a Ponseti method specialist near me in Vesu, or the best pediatric orthopedic hospital in Surat city, Dr. Ankit Chaudhari at Ashirwad Hospital is within reach for early evaluation and treatment.
Dr. Ankit Chaudhari is an orthopedic surgeon at Ashirwad Hospital in Surat, evaluating and treating congenital and developmental conditions in infants and children as part of comprehensive pediatric orthopedic care. Families across Surat, including Adajan, Vesu, Athwa, Piplod, Katargam, and Varachha, bring their newborns for clubfoot evaluation using the internationally recognised Ponseti method.
Because clubfoot correction becomes progressively more difficult the longer treatment is delayed, Dr. Chaudhari guides families to begin evaluation as early as possible — ideally within the first weeks of life — and supports them through every stage of casting, the tenotomy, and long-term bracing. Learn more about his background and approach on the about us page.
Clubfoot treatment at Ashirwad Hospital is part of a comprehensive orthopedic and pediatric service covering every stage of bone, joint, and childhood development:
Accessible from Adajan, Vesu, Athwa, Piplod, Katargam, Varachha, Ghod Dod Road, Nanpura, and Rander, and across Surat city, for families seeking early clubfoot evaluation and Ponseti method treatment.
| Monday – Saturday | 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM |
| Sunday | By prior appointment or emergency only |
For newborns recently diagnosed with clubfoot, early evaluation makes a real difference — visit the contact page for directions and appointment details. No referral required.
Ashirwad Hospital provides specialized orthopedic care with modern facilities, expert surgeons, and patient-focused healing.
3rd Floor, Vision Business Hub Opposite Shell Petrol Pump, L.P. Savani Road, Adajan, Surat, 395009