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What causes talipes?

Some foot abnormalities are caused by restriction of the baby's foot while in the uterus. This is called positional talipes. In other cases, it is caused by abnormal development of bones within the foot. This is called congenital talipes and may occur for a range of reasons.

FAQ Frequently asked questions

What is talipes?

Talipes occurs when a baby is born with a foot or ankle twisted out of position or shape. Some of the most common forms of talipes include clubfoot (talipes equinovarus), talipes calcaneovalgus and metatarsus varus.

What are the symptoms of talipes?

In talipes, the foot may be contracted upwards or downwards, turned inwards or outwards, or flexed excessively.

Who gets talipes?

Talipes is congenital, which means that babies are born with the condition.

How is talipes diagnosed?

Talipes is usually diagnosed shortly after birth by physical examination of the baby. In some cases, it can be picked up by an ultrasound during pregnancy, but it will not be treated until the baby is born.

How is talipes treated?

Gentle exercises and massage may be all that is required for less severe cases of positional talipes. For more severe cases where the bones are involved, treatments such as the Ponseti technique (which involves stretching the foot and placing it in a plaster cast to …

Can talipes be cured?

In most cases, treatment for talipes is very successful. However, it is very important in cases of congenital talipes for parents and carers to follow treatment directions, or the talipes can return and may require surgery.

Will talipes clear on its own?

Some mild forms of talipes will correct themselves as the baby grows. Other cases, particularly where the foot is stiff and the bones are involved, require intensive treatment to correct foot position and prevent the talipes from coming back.

What can be done at home to treat talipes?

In mild cases of talipes, in which only the soft tissues are affected (sometimes called positional talipes), parents and carers may be recommended to perform gentle exercises and massage to help the baby's foot assume a more normal position. …

Will talipes keep coming back?

In cases of talipes in which the bones are involved, if treatment is not followed, it may come back and surgery may be required to help the foot assume a more normal position.

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About this article

Author: Jonathan Meddings BMedLabSc (Hons)
First answered: 16 Nov 2014
Last reviewed: 17 Oct 2018
Rating: 4.9 out of 5
Votes: 234 (Click smiley face below to rate)
Category: Cleft lip and palate

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