Posttraumatic Psychogenic Clubfoot: The Importance of Recognition

Abstract

We observed a case of delayed foot drop in a 41-year-old woman after a trivial in-car accident without neural or spinal injuries. She was suffered from a psychogenic clubfoot over four years. About 3 months after the accident, insidious foot drop was noticed. It progressed and eventually she could not walk without a brace. She wondered from hospital to hospital without success. An electrophysiological examination was normal. Clinical psychometric examination revealed relatively low intelligence quotient (IQ 86), unstable emotion, somatic over-sensitivity, aggression and anger. We diagnosed her disease as the psychogenic clubfoot. We report such a case, including clinical presentation, management, and review some medicolegal issues.