Clubfoot (Talipes Equinovarus) and Clenched Hands

Abstract Congenital contractures are common in the newborn and can include single location contractures that include clubfeet, hip dislocations, and multiple congenital contractures (MCC). Talipes equinovarus, or clubfoot, is an abnormality of the foot position and can be isolated or part of a broader spectrum of anomalies. Clenched hands typically refer to abnormal posturing that can include abnormal positioning of the arms, wrists, and fingers and are often part of congenital contracture syndromes. Characteristic clubfeet show forefoot and midfoot abductus, as well as ankle equinus. On ultrasound, the plantar surface of the foot is persistently visualized in the same plane as the tibia and fibula. For clenched hands or upper extremity arthrogryposis, the shoulders can be internally rotated, the elbows are persistently straight, and the wrists are flexed. A small percentage of fetus with isolated clubfoot have an underlying chromosome abnormality or genetic disorder. However, this contrasts with clenched hands (finger flexion and wrist abnormalities), which present rarely as isolated anomalies.