Ponseti Clubfoot Clinic

Commonly asked questions

Q. Why does my baby have CTEV or talipes?
A. Nobody knows the cause for talipes but there are a couple of theories:

• Genetic inheritance
• Abnormal muscle development

Q. Is my child in pain?
A. No. Your baby should not find the condition painful however they may protest at being examined.

Q. Will my child be able to walk?
A. Yes. With prompt assessment and treatment with the Ponseti method, children born with talipes should achieve pain free, fully functional feet that allow them to run and play as normal.

Q. How do I make my child's feet better?
A. Treatment can begin within 48 hours of birth to two weeks and continues for the first 4 years of life. Your child will follow a course of treatment called the Ponseti method. For success you need to make every effort to persist and keep the boots and bars on, as prescribed.

Even if you have a child that is older, and has been managed by other ways, we still recommend starting with the Ponseti method.

Q. Will the boots and bars slow down my childs normal development?
A. No. These braces are worn 23 hours a day for 3 months, and this is usually when your child is about 3 – 6 months old, which is when they would’nt be walking anyway. Even if they are walking, the 3 months in the brace does not have any long term impact. You can be assured that if CTEV is the only condition your child has then they will achieve normal developmental milestones.