Ponseti treatment for club foot
Ponseti treatment for talipes
Our paediatric consultants can realign your child's club foot using the Ponseti approach
What is a club foot?
This treatment aims to straighten a child's club foot (talipes), a condition where the ankle and foot point towards the body and the tendons are shorter than usual.
It ranges from mild to severe and in some cases, the foot looks like it's turned upside down. It can affect both feet.
It's a congenital defect, which means that a baby is born with it. Club foot may look painful, but it doesn't cause the baby any pain. If the condition isn't treated, the baby is likely to get arthritis, and may walk with an awkward gait.
Club foot is treated soon after birth, before the child starts walking. The Ponseti technique is a common and effective treatment for club foot. The foot is realigned and encased within a special boot until the child is five.
It ranges from mild to severe and in some cases, the foot looks like it's turned upside down. It can affect both feet.
It's a congenital defect, which means that a baby is born with it. Club foot may look painful, but it doesn't cause the baby any pain. If the condition isn't treated, the baby is likely to get arthritis, and may walk with an awkward gait.
Club foot is treated soon after birth, before the child starts walking. The Ponseti technique is a common and effective treatment for club foot. The foot is realigned and encased within a special boot until the child is five.
Need to know
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What happens during treatment? icon plus
A physiotherapist carefully stretches the baby's foot to loosen up the tendons. The foot is then placed in a plaster cast from toes to hip. After a week, the cast is removed at the hospital.
The physiotherapist will move the leg into the correct position again, before a second cast is put on the leg. The baby may need to wear up to six casts before the foot is in the right position.
When the foot is finally in the right position, it's put in a special boot. The child wears this until they are five-years-old and the foot has been corrected. They can wear the boot when asleep. -
How to prepare icon plus
Your consultant will explain the procedure to you and answer any questions you may have. You can help to keep your baby calm during each round of physio with toys and a feed. -
After treatment icon plus
When your baby is wearing the plaster cast, make sure the child's toes are pink and warm — signs of a good circulation. Keep the plaster dry and ensure it doesn't get soiled from the nappy.
When your child has finished wearing the casts, they will need to wear the specially made boots constantly for the first three months. After this, they'll need to wear them for 12 to 14 hours a day. During naps is the best time. If the boots aren't worn for the correct amount of time, the foot may return to its original position.
Our paediatric orthopaedic consultants
We're proud to work with leading orthopaedic experts, who have experience supporting and manging orthopaedic conditions in children, such as club foot. Their skills are matched by their integrity and compassion.
Our consultants work with paediatric nurses, physiotherapists and play specialists to support your child during their treatment journey.
Our consultants work with paediatric nurses, physiotherapists and play specialists to support your child during their treatment journey.
Our locations
From complex paediatric orthopaedic surgery to diagnostic tests and scans, we provide exceptional orthopaedic care for children across our network of hospitals, outpatient centres and specialist clinics.
Request an orthopaedic appointment for your child
We're happy to help you make an appointment with one of our experienced paediatric consultants who specialise in orthopaedics. We can also make imaging and outpatient physiotherapy appointments for you.
Call us today
020 7079 4344
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.