‘Does my baby have clubfoot?’
Talipes Treatment for Babies in Melbourne
What is Talipes or Clubfoot?
Talipes is a condition where a baby’s foot is turned inward and downwards. There are two types of talipes:
Positional Talipes
Congenital Talipes (Clubfoot)
Although they may look similar, they are different conditions and require different management.
The good news is that both conditions can be successfully managed with early assessment and appropriate treatment.
Positional Talipes
Positional talipes is a common foot condition in newborn babies where their foot rests in a position that is down and inwards. Their foot remains flexible and can be gently moved into a normal position. Positional talipes can affect either one foot or both feet.
Congenital Talipes (Clubfoot)
Congenital Talipes, commonly known as Clubfoot, is a condition where the foot is turned downwards and inwards because of changes in the muscles, tendons and bones of the foot and ankle.
Unlike positional talipes, the foot is stiff and cannot be gently corrected with stretching alone.
Clubfoot affects approximately 1 in every 1,000 babies and may affect one or both feet. With early treatment, most children go on to walk, run and participate in activities just like their peers.
Signs your baby may have Talipes
You may notice:
One or both feet turn downwards and inwards
The foot appears difficult or impossible to straighten
The foot feels stiff rather than flexible
One foot appears smaller than the other (clubfoot)
Your baby has been diagnosed during pregnancy or shortly after birth
If you're unsure whether your baby's foot position is positional talipes or clubfoot, an assessment can help determine the difference.
How can physiotherapy help?
Physiotherapy management of talipes varies depending on the type of talipes the child has. Physiotherapy can be helpful for Positional talipes to teach exercises and stretches for your baby’s foot which can help resolve their talipes.
Congenital talipes is treated using the ‘Ponseti Method’ which involves a series of manipulations and casts, which can often be followed by a small surgical procedure to lengthen the calf tendon at the back of the foot and then using a ‘foot abduction brace’ for 23hrs a day for the first 3 months, and then used overnight until the child is 4 years old. Our Physiotherapists can support these children to develop their gross motor skills while they are undergoing this treatment.
Will my baby walk normally?
The good news is that with early treatment, most children with clubfoot go on to walk, run, jump and participate in everyday activities and sport. Ongoing follow-up helps ensure the best possible long-term outcome.