The talipes clinic at Bristol Children's Hospital is dedicated
to the assessment and treatment of babies and children with
positional talipies and structural talipies.
1. Positional Talipes
The foot is structurally normal but it has become moulded into
an incorrect position in the womb. Once the baby is born, the foot
position will usuallycorrect on its own. Sometimes, gentle
stretches can be taught to speed this process up.
2. Structural Talipes
The most common structural foot deformity is "congenital talipes
equino varus" or clubfoot. This type of foot problem will not
improve on its ownand treatment will be needed to correct the
deformity within the first few months of life.
We accept referrals from GP's, Consultants, Health Visitors and
other AHP's.
The clinic is run by a team of specialist physiotherapists and
two consultant paediatric orthopaedic surgeons on a weekly
basis.
Parents are often seen antenatally to give them information on
the condition and what is involved in the treatment.
Babies with clubfoot are treated with the Ponseti technique with
the aim of avoiding invasive surgery in the developing foot.
The technique involves:
- Specific manipulation and weekly plaster casts
- Achilles tenotomy in most cases
- Maintenance of the deformity with a foot abduction brace -
"boots & bars"
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