Talipes, also known as Clubfoot is a condition that affects newborn babies 👶🏻👶🏻
In this post, the idea is to give you an overview of what this condition is, how it is picked up and a brief description on how it is treated 🦶🦶
Talipes, also known as Clubfoot or Talipes Equinovarus (TEV) is a condition that affects either one foot or both feet of a newborn baby. It’s appearance is such that your baby’s foot will look like it is turned inwards.
Broadly speaking there are two main types of talipes:
- Positional Talipes (PTEV)
- Congenital Talipes (CTEV)
Positional Talipes
Positional talipes tends to occur as the result of a “packaging” issue. As your baby grows in utero they start to run out of space causing their feet to essentially become a little “squashed”. When your baby is born they will have the appearance of their feet / foot being turned inwards but they will in fact have full range of movement of their foot and ankle.
PTEV is generally picked up at birth or during your antenatal scans. It typically needs very little treatment and does not require medical intervention. If necessary, you will be taught some gentle stretches / exercises to do at home with your baby. With the aid of these exercises and as your baby grows and continues to get stronger their foot position should return to a “normal” position.
Congential Talipes
Congenital Talipes tends to occur as the result of a “manufacturing” issue ie. there is a structural issue in which the way bones / tendons / ligaments make up your baby’s foot. CTEV is usually very evident from birth and may also be picked up on some antenatal scans. The treatment for CTEV has vastly improved in recent years.
The mainstay of treatment now is typically the Ponseti Method. The Ponseti Method involves the application of a plaster cast to your baby’s foot in order to apply a very gentle stretch to tight structures. This is repeated every week over a number of weeks in order to gradually and very gently improve the position of your baby’s foot.
Occasionally your baby may require a small surgical procedure known as a tenotomy to release the Achilles Tendon. Following casting, your baby will be required to wear boots and bar in order to maintain the position of their feet.
HUGE strides have been made in the treatment and management of this condition in recent years meaning that your child’s should not be affected in the long term. If you have any questions around Talipes please do not hesitate to get in touch, I am only delighted I be able to help.