Discovering that your child has positional talipes/clubfoot can be overwhelming. Our goal is to offer guidance to help you and your child and provide support along the way.
On this page you will find:
- What is Positional Talipes/Clubfoot?
- Why Does it Happen?
- How is Positional Talipes/Clubfoot? Detected?
- Treatment of Positional Talipes/Clubfoot?
- How Will Positional Talipes/Clubfoot Affect My Child?
- Sharing the News
- Support
- Resources
What is Positional Talipes/Clubfoot?
Positional talipes is a common temporary presentation of the foot in new-born babies where a baby’s foot (or feet) turns inwards and downwards. A baby with positional talipes will hold their foot (or feet) in a noticeable different way. However, the foot is not ‘stuck’ in this position and has a full range of movement.
Positional talipes is not the same as congenital talipes equinovarus (also known as CTEV or ‘true’ clubfoot) which requires treatment and long-term monitoring. It is important not to assume a diagnosis, and you should seek further advice from your doctor if the position persists beyond six weeks to rule out an underlying structural problem.
The following webinar is an introduction to the different types of Clubfoot and includes information on positional talipes and explains why it is different to the condition of clubfoot
Why Does it Happen?
Positional talipes is thought to be caused by the baby’s position in the womb in the later stages of pregnancy and is known as a ‘packaging’ disorder. Packaging disorders occur during pregnancy when the foetus is “packaged” too tightly within the uterus. As a baby grows, they will start to run out of space and sometimes the feet get a little squashed out of shape as a result. The foot will have been resting in the womb in an awkward position and may become temporarily stuck this way.
How is Positional Talipes/Clubfoot Detected?
Positional talipes is easy to spot when a baby is born. A gentle examination of the foot by an orthopaedic doctor soon after birth will confirm a diagnosis.
Treatment of Positional Talipes/Clubfoot
Formal medical treatment is not required with positional talipes. You may be taught some gentle stretches before you leave hospital and these should be done little and often.
You will gradually notice the feet improve and correct when stimulated, though babies do tend to rest with their feet turned inwards and downwards.
How Will Positional Talipes/Clubfoot Affect My Child?
There will be no long-term effects on mobility or walking.
A baby will usually grow out of positional talipes in a few weeks and will not require follow up treatment. The foot can take up to 12 weeks to look completely ‘normal’.
If the position of your baby’s foot does not start to improve within around six weeks, you should ask for advice from your doctor or health visitor, as they may need to be examined again. Any further treatment will depend on your baby’s individual presentation.
Sharing the News
When and how you tell close family, friends and other relatives about your child’s condition is a very personal decision which will be impacted by how and when the diagnosis occurred, the individual prognosis for your child and the potential treatments available.
There is no right or wrong way or time to share the news, however, being well informed about the condition and having the opportunity to connect with other parents who can understand what you are feeling will likely help.
Once you do share the news, your relatives and friends will probably want to know how they can support you and your child, so take advantage of the experiences being shared by other parents, to help you feel better equipped to answer such questions and get the support that is right for you.
Support
Steps is here to offer emotional and practical support.
The Steps closed Facebook Group is a friendly and safe way of discussing your worries, sharing tips and finding emotional support. Our Family Contact Service identifies someone else who has been through a similar situation and who’s happy to talk about their experiences, on a one-to-one basis, to offer support.
You can reach out to Steps with your questions, concerns and requests via email info@steps-charity.org.uk or leave a voicemail message on 01925 750271 and one of the team will be in touch.
All our positional talipes links and related resources can be found below:
