At what age should you start to consider surgery for a child with metatarsus adductus?

At what age should you start to consider surgery for a child with metatarsus adductus?

• A. At birth
• B. 2 years old
• C. 4 years old
• D. 8 years old

Answer: (C)

Metatarsus adductus is often a flexible issue in infants that improves with growth or with simple nonoperative measures such as gentle stretching or serial casting. The aim is to avoid surgery unless the deformity does not resolve and becomes fixed. By around four years of age, if the forefoot adduction persists and is rigid, it’s unlikely to correct on its own, making surgical realignment or soft-tissue release a reasonable option. Choosing a time too early, like at birth or by age two, risks unnecessary intervention since many cases improve without operation. Waiting beyond early childhood, such as eight years old, can make correction more difficult and less predictable. Hence, four years old is the point at which persistent, rigid metatarsus adductus should be considered for surgery.

Metatarsus adductus is often a flexible issue in infants that improves with growth or with simple nonoperative measures such as gentle stretching or serial casting. The aim is to avoid surgery unless the deformity does not resolve and becomes fixed. By around four years of age, if the forefoot adduction persists and is rigid, it’s unlikely to correct on its own, making surgical realignment or soft-tissue release a reasonable option. Choosing a time too early, like at birth or by age two, risks unnecessary intervention since many cases improve without operation. Waiting beyond early childhood, such as eight years old, can make correction more difficult and less predictable. Hence, four years old is the point at which persistent, rigid metatarsus adductus should be considered for surgery.