The Portland Hospital
205-209 Great Portland Street W1W 5AH London
Ponseti treatment for club foot
If your child has been diagnosed with talipes or clubfoot, your child's foot and ankle will orientate downwards and inwards. Our paediatric consultants can realign your child's foot using the Ponseti approach.
What is Ponseti treatment?
This is a treatment to straighten a foot of a baby. A clubfoot is a congenital defect, meaning that a baby is born with it. Whilst the angle of the foot may look painful it doesn't cause the baby any pain. Treatment usually starts a couple of weeks after birth and the foot is realigned and later encased in a special boot. This stops the foot and ankle moving, allowing the tendons to relax and the bones to develop in the correct direction. The boot will be worn until the child reaches 5 years of age.
Need to know
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 ponseti treatment for club foot locations
Institute of Sport Exercise and Health (ISEH)
170 Tottenham Court Road W1T 7HA London
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.