
It is relatively common for a newborn to have a foot – or both feet – that turn inwards, a condition known as talipes. This is often something that will self-correct over time, but if the foot is very curved or immobile, it may need treatment. Talipes can be either positional or structural. Positional talipes is caused by the baby's position in the womb and can be corrected with gentle exercises. Structural talipes is an inherited congenital condition where the foot bones are not growing in the correct direction and may require more extensive treatment.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Name of the condition | Talipes, Positional Talipes, or Clubfoot |
Incidence | Affects about 1 in 1,000 babies born in the UK |
Gender distribution | Twice as many boys as girls |
Presentation | Foot turns in or under, sole of the foot faces backward instead of toward the floor |
Bilateral involvement | About half of the cases |
Detection | May be detected during the 20-week pregnancy ultrasound but is usually diagnosed after birth |
Pain | Not painful for babies |
Treatment | Ponseti method, gentle stretching and manipulation, casting, physiotherapy, exercises, surgery (in rare cases) |
Prognosis | Nearly all children treated with the Ponseti method end up with pain-free, normal-looking feet; most children learn to walk at the same time as their peers |
Risk factors | Structural talipes has a higher genetic predisposition than positional talipes; risk factors for clubfoot include other congenital conditions impacting the skeleton, smoking during pregnancy, and lack of amniotic fluid in the womb |
Associated conditions | Torticollis, hip dysplasia, scoliosis |
What You'll Learn
- Positional talipes is a common condition where the foot turns inwards and downwards
- Clubfoot is a common birth defect where the tendons connecting the lower leg muscles to the feet are shorter than normal
- Metatarsus adductus is a condition where there is a curvature in the middle of the foot, causing it to fold inward
- Calcaneovalgus is a condition where the foot is pushed up and out
- In-toeing or pigeon toes is a common foot problem in newborns
Positional talipes is a common condition where the foot turns inwards and downwards
Positional talipes, also known as talipes equinovarus (TEV) or positional clubfoot, is a common condition affecting newborn babies. It occurs when a baby's foot turns inwards and downwards and may affect one or both feet. This condition is typically flexible and correctable, with the foot easily movable into a normal position.
Positional talipes is distinct from club foot (structural talipes), where the foot cannot be gently moved back to its proper place. It is caused by the baby's position in the womb, resulting in a "packaging" disorder during pregnancy. As the baby grows, the limited space in the uterus can cause the feet to be squashed and temporarily stuck in an abnormal position.
The condition is typically diagnosed after birth during a routine examination of the baby's feet. It is characterised by the foot resting down and inwards, with full flexibility and correctability. In most cases, positional talipes does not require medical treatment and will improve within a few months. However, simple exercises, such as gentle stretching and manipulation, can be performed to aid in correcting the foot position.
To help your baby with positional talipes, you can perform some simple exercises on their feet, ensure their clothing is not too tight around the feet, and massage their feet and ankles with olive oil, baby oil, or lotion. These measures can help improve the condition more quickly, and there are no known risks or side effects associated with these treatments.
If you are concerned about your baby's feet, it is important to consult a doctor or health visitor for advice and guidance. They can provide specific recommendations based on your baby's condition and ensure that your baby receives the necessary care and attention.
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Clubfoot is a common birth defect where the tendons connecting the lower leg muscles to the feet are shorter than normal
It is relatively common for a newborn to have a foot or both feet that turn inwards. This condition is called talipes, and it affects about 1 in 1,000 babies born in the UK. While this is not painful for babies, it is usually treated to prevent walking difficulties and pain as the child grows older.
Talipes is the same as clubfoot, but there are two main kinds: positional talipes and structural talipes. Clubfoot is often used by non-medics to refer specifically to structural talipes, which is less common and requires more treatment.
Positional talipes occurs when the foot turns inwards and downwards but is otherwise mobile. This happens because the foot is stuck in an abnormal position due to the way it was curled up in the womb. Positional talipes usually self-corrects within the first three months, but some sessions of physiotherapy may be required to assist with correction.
Structural talipes, on the other hand, occurs when the foot bones are not growing in the correct direction and is often an inherited congenital condition. This type of talipes or clubfoot is caused by shorter and tighter tendons in the baby's leg and foot, leading to the foot twisting. It requires treatment, usually starting when the baby is about two weeks old.
The treatment for structural talipes or clubfoot is called the Ponseti method, which involves gently manipulating the baby's foot into a better position and then setting it with a plaster cast. This process is repeated every 6 to 8 weeks to gradually move the foot into the correct position. Sometimes, a minor procedure to loosen the Achilles tendon is also needed to help with foot positioning. After the last cast is removed, the baby will wear boots constantly for 3 months, followed by wearing them only during sleep until around the age of 4.
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Metatarsus adductus is a condition where there is a curvature in the middle of the foot, causing it to fold inward
It is relatively common for a newborn to have one or both feet turning inwards, a condition known as talipes. This can be further categorised as either positional talipes or structural talipes. Positional talipes, also known as talipes equinovarus (TEV), is caused by the baby's positioning in the womb, and the foot can be gently moved into a normal position. Structural talipes, also known as club foot, is a problem with the structure of the foot, and the foot cannot be moved into the correct position.
Metatarsus adductus is a type of condition that falls under talipes. It refers to a curvature in the middle of the foot, causing it to fold inward. The degree of crookedness is not as important as the degree of flexibility. If your baby’s foot is flexible enough to be straightened out when you push on it, they have flexible metatarsus adductus, which usually resolves in 6-12 months. In rare cases where metatarsus adductus does not resolve on its own, surgery may be recommended to correct the problem.
Positional talipes is a common condition, affecting about 1 in 1,000 babies born in the UK. It is usually diagnosed after birth when the baby’s feet are examined. The condition is thought to be caused by the position of the baby in the mother’s uterus during pregnancy. Positional talipes will usually improve without any treatment within a few months. However, there are some simple exercises that can be done to help the baby, such as gentle stretches and tickles to the foot and ensuring their clothes are not too tight around their feet.
Structural talipes is less common and requires more treatment. It occurs because the baby's foot bones are not growing in the correct direction and is often an inherited congenital condition. Treatment for structural talipes, known as the Ponseti method, involves gently manipulating the foot into a better position and then setting this position with a plaster cast around the foot and ankle. This process is repeated every 6 to 8 weeks to gradually move the foot and ankle into the correct position. In some cases, a minor procedure to loosen the Achilles tendon may also be needed.
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Calcaneovalgus is a condition where the foot is pushed up and out
It is relatively common for a newborn to have one or both feet turning inwards, a condition known as talipes. In most cases, this will self-correct over time, although sometimes treatment is required.
Now, turning to the specific condition of calcaneovalgus, this is indeed a condition where the foot is pushed up and out. It is one of the most common deformities of the foot seen in newborns, with the foot and ankle excessively bent up, and in some cases, the toes touching the shin. This condition is not painful for the baby and is thought to be caused by the position of the baby in the uterus during the last few months of pregnancy, known as an intrauterine "packaging" disorder.
Calcaneovalgus is typically diagnosed by appearance at birth, with the foot usually partially corrected to a normal 90-degree ankle position. It can affect one or both feet and is more common in girls and first-born children. While most children with this condition outgrow it, it is important for a trained clinician to examine the child to rule out more serious conditions.
In terms of treatment, calcaneovalgus often goes away on its own, and gentle stretching exercises can help the baby regain a normal foot posture. In more severe cases, splints, special shoes, or casting of the legs and feet may be required.
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In-toeing or pigeon toes is a common foot problem in newborns
Pigeon toes are usually painless and tend to resolve on their own without treatment as the child grows and develops muscle strength and coordination. In rare cases, serial casting or surgery may be considered to correct the rotational differences if the condition persists beyond the expected age of resolution.
In addition to metatarsus adductus, there are two other main causes of intoeing: internal tibial torsion and femoral anteversion. Internal tibial torsion occurs when the tibia (shinbone) twists and turns the leg inward, while femoral anteversion is characterised by an inward rotation of the femur (thigh bone), causing the feet and toes to point inward.
While intoeing often resolves spontaneously by the age of 6 or 9, in some cases, it may require medical intervention. If the intoeing is accompanied by other foot abnormalities, stiffness, pain, limping, swelling, or difficulty walking, a referral to a pediatric orthopedic specialist may be necessary.
Overall, pigeon toes or intoeing is a common and typically benign condition in newborns, which usually resolves without intervention as the child grows and develops.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, it is relatively common for a newborn to have a foot or both feet that turn inwards. This condition is called talipes, and it often self-corrects over time.
There are two main types of talipes: positional talipes and structural talipes. Positional talipes is caused by the baby's position in the womb, while structural talipes is an inherited congenital condition affecting the foot bones.
Positional talipes usually improves without treatment within a few months. Gentle exercises, stretches, and massages can help speed up the correction process. In some cases, structural talipes may require more intensive treatment, such as the Ponseti method, which involves gentle manipulation and casting.