Delivering Innovation Solutions
Dr. Dobbs is an innovator in minimally invasive surgery for congenital and developmental foot and
lower extremity
deformities as well as torticollis. (e.g. congenital vertical talus, congenital knee
dislocation, nail-patella syndrome,
congenital muscular torticollis, and lower extremity tendon lengthening in patients with
cerebral palsy spasticity). His
technique to treat congenital vertical talus, a severe rigid flatfoot deformity present at
birth, for example, has
revolutionized the treatment of vertical talus and is now being utilized successfully across the
world. Much like the
Ponseti method for clubfoot treatment, the Dobbs method for vertical talus correction relies on
gentle manipulation of
the foot followed by serial casting, a small surgical procedure, and bracing to provide full
correction and avoid more
extensive surgery. By avoiding more extensive surgery, the child’s foot flexibility is
maintained while the child grows.
This leads to excellent correction and maintenance of foot flexibility long-term.
His multi-disciplinary approach to congenital muscular torticollis relies on careful and
accurate diagnosis, followed by
specific physical therapy, bracing, and botulinum toxin injections. The technique allows the
avoidance of surgery in
most young patients. He developed a serial casting technique for congenital knee dislocation
which provides excellent
correction without the complications of major surgical intervention.
He has partnered with a neurosurgeon to provide a unique approach to patients with cerebral
palsy spasticity. After
spasticity is removed through a neurological procedure called selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR),
Dr. Dobbs performs
percutaneous tendon lengthening for lower extremity contractures. This management strategy
allows early return to
ambulation and improved gait and function long-term.
Dr. Dobbs also developed a brace to maintain clubfoot correction. The brace, which bears his
name, is utilized in over
50 countries and has helped thousands of clubfoot patients avoid relapse and the need for
further intervention.
Board Certification
- American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery
Areas of Interest
- Pediatric and Adult Foot Deformity
- Pediatric Lower Extremity Deformity
- Clubfoot
- Vertical Talus
- Flatfoot
- Cavus foot
- Genetic Disorders
- Scoliosis
- Skeletal Dysplasia
- Leg Length Inequalities
- Torticollis
- Clinical, Basic Science, and Translational Research
- Congenital patella dislocation
- Nail-Patella Syndrome
- Cerebral palsy spasticity
- Toe walking
- Polydactyly
- Tarsal Coalition
- Curly toes
- Hammer toes
- Hallux valgus
- Short metatarsals (brachymetatarsia)
- Bunionette
- Tendon contractures
- Posteromedial tibial bow
- Foot drop
- Neuromuscular conditions (e.g., arthrogryposis, spina bifida, hereditary sensory motor
neuropathies (HSMN), sacral agenesis)
