About Cleft Foot Surgery
Key Highlights
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Improves foot function, stability, and weight-bearing capacity.Enhances cosmetic appearance, allowing for the use of normal footwear.Corrects gait abnormalities, promoting better mobility and development.Performed by specialized pediatric orthopedic surgeons with expertise in congenital deformities.Tailored surgical plan based on the specific anatomy and severity of each child's cleft foot.
Who is this surgery for?
- Congenital cleft foot (split foot/lobster claw deformity) causing functional impairment.
- Difficulty with walking, running, or participating in normal childhood activities.
- Recurrent pain, skin irritation, or ulceration within the cleft.
- Significant cosmetic concern affecting the child's psychosocial well-being.
- Inability to wear standard shoes comfortably or safely.
- Associated deformities like toe webbing (syndactyly) or missing toes.
How to prepare
- Comprehensive evaluation including physical exam, X-rays, and possibly 3D imaging or CT scan.
- Detailed discussion with the pediatric orthopedic surgeon about goals, steps, and expectations.
- Pre-operative blood tests and a general health check to ensure fitness for anesthesia.
- Guidance on fasting (typically 6-8 hours for solids) prior to surgery.
- Planning for post-surgery care, including potential casting and crutch/walker use.
- Addressing any parental questions or concerns about the procedure and recovery.
Risks & possible complications
- Standard surgical risks: reaction to anesthesia, bleeding, or infection.
- Wound healing problems or delayed bone healing.
- Nerve or blood vessel injury, potentially leading to numbness or circulation issues.
- Stiffness, scarring, or residual deformity.
- Need for additional corrective surgeries in the future.
- Blood clot formation (deep vein thrombosis), though rare in children.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Initial hospital stay for pain management and monitoring of the surgical site.
- The foot will be placed in a protective cast or splint for several weeks to protect the reconstruction.
- Strict elevation of the foot is crucial in the first 1-2 weeks to minimize swelling.
- Pain is managed with prescribed medications. Non-weight bearing is typically required for 4-6 weeks.
- Follow-up visits for cast changes, stitch removal, and X-rays to monitor healing.
- Gradual transition to weight-bearing and initiation of physical therapy to restore strength, flexibility, and gait.
- Long-term follow-up is needed to monitor foot growth and development into adolescence.
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Typical hospital stay: 2-4 days
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Expected recovery time: 6-12 weeks for initial healing; full functional recovery may take 6-12 months
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering cleft foot surgery in Turkey, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Top-rated hospitals in Turkey with pediatric orthopedics departments and experienced surgeons are ideal for this procedure. Use MediFyr to compare facilities, reviews, and doctor profiles before you decide.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform cleft foot surgery. MediFyr helps you compare pediatric orthopedics and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for cleft foot surgery compare across other countries where we have data.
| Country | Estimated cost range | Typical stay | Recovery time | View details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | USD 1,652 – USD 4,405 | 2-4 days | ~ 6-12 weeks for initial healing; full functional recovery may take 6-12 months | Know More |
| Turkey | USD 12,293 – USD 32,782 | 2-4 days | ~ 6-12 weeks for initial healing; full functional recovery may take 6-12 months | Know More |
Vikram Smith is a cheerful 18-month-old...
Vikram Smith is a cheerful 18-month-old boy from a small coastal town. He was born with a right cleft foot, a condition where his foot had a deep central split, resembling a lobster claw. His parents, first-time and anxious, noticed immediately at birth. While Vikram met all his developmental milestones, his foot was significantly turned inward, making it difficult for him to bear weight evenly and find shoes that fit. His pediatrician referred him to a pediatric orthopedic specialist at 6 months old. The doctor recommended a multi-stage surgical plan, starting with soft tissue releases and tendon transfers when Vikram was 10 months old, to be followed by possible bone procedures later. The first surgery went smoothly, though seeing their baby in a cast was heart-wrenching for his parents. Vikram recovered in a series of casts and then a special brace. A year later, his foot is straighter, more functional, and he can wear adapted orthopedic shoes. He walks with a slight limp but is gaining confidence daily. The emotional journey was one of initial fear and grief for a 'perfect' child, transforming into immense pride and resilience as they watched Vikram adapt and thrive, his joyful spirit untouched by the challenges.