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Ponseti treatment for club foot (congenital talipes equinovarus)
- No.1 for private orthopaedic care in London*
- More than 40,000 babies, children and young people cared for every year
- The first private hospital with a low-radiation X-ray scanner
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PONSETI TREATMENT FOR CLUB FOOT AT HCA UK
Why choose us?
At The Portland Hospital in London, we provide exceptional orthopaedic care to children at every age. If your baby has been diagnosed with club foot, we can help.
We offer fast access to our expert consultants, who’ll quickly confirm a diagnosis and create a personalised treatment plan for your baby, no matter how complex their condition. Your baby will be carefully looked after and supported throughout their treatment by our experienced team, which includes highly skilled physiotherapists and specialist nurses.
A club foot (also called Congenital Talipes Equinovarus or CTEV) is when a foot or both feet point downwards and inwards. It’s congenital, which means that a baby is born with it.
Although the angle of the foot may look painful, it doesn't cause your baby any pain while they’re still very young. However, it’s important that the condition is treated as soon as possible, as it can make it difficult for your child to walk and it will also become painful.
Club foot is caused by a shortened Achilles tendon and tight structures on the medial (inner) side of the foot, which causes the foot to turn in and under. The condition is twice as common in boys.
Club foot is usually identified during a pregnancy ultrasound. If your healthcare provider diagnoses club foot during pregnancy, you can get in contact with us and we’ll start planning treatment for when your baby born.
Alternatively, a club foot diagnosis may be made after your baby is born, typically during one of your baby’s first physical exams. In some cases, an X-ray may be needed to confirm the diagnosis.
Our consultants can confirm a diagnosis and arrange an X-ray, if needed. They’ll also arrange for your baby to be treated as quickly as possible.
We treat club foot using the Ponseti method, which gradually straightens the foot. It’s usually done in two phases: casting and bracing.
During the first phase, one of our highly skilled physiotherapists will gently move and stretch your baby’s foot to relax the surrounding ligaments and tendons. This helps slowly move the foot into its correct position. They’ll then apply a plaster cast over your baby’s foot and leg to stop the foot and ankle from moving.
The cast will be removed each week and your baby will have their foot gently moved and stretched again, followed by a new cast. This process will be repeated for up to six casts.
After this, most babies will need a percutaneous Achilles tenotomy. This is a small surgical procedure where the tendon is cut to get the heel into the correct position.
Once your baby’s foot and ankle are in the correct position, we’ll give them special boots and bars to wear (phase two). These are usually worn until your child is five years old.
No.1
in London for private orthopaedic care
40,000+
babies, children and young people cared for every year
20+
paediatric orthopaedic consultants
Fast access to specialists
Appointments confirmed within 24 hours.
State-of-the-art diagnostics
With results in as little as 48 hours.
Treatment for complex conditions
Our complete breadth of expertise, focused on your child.
PONSETI TREATMENT FOR CLUB FOOT
What to expect
From the moment you step through the door with your baby, we want you to feel as comfortable and reassured as possible.
One of the ways we can put you at ease is to let you know what to expect at each stage. If you have any questions that aren’t answered here, or in the FAQ section below, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Our team will be happy to help in any way they can.
One of the ways we can put you at ease is to let you know what to expect at each stage. If you have any questions that aren’t answered here, or in the FAQ section below, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Our team will be happy to help in any way they can.
01
Initial appointment
When your baby has been given a diagnosis of club foot, you’ll need to meet with one of our paediatric orthopaedic consultants. They’ll confirm the diagnosis and arrange for the foot to be treated.
Your consultant will talk you through the treatment to ensure you understand everything and will be happy to answer any questions you may have.
02
Treatment: phase one
Treatment usually takes place a couple of weeks after your baby is born. The first phase involves one of our physiotherapists moving and stretching your child’s foot before putting a plaster cast over the foot and leg. This stays in place for up to a week and is then removed by our team.
Your physiotherapist will gently move and stretch your child’s foot again before applying a second plaster cast. This is repeated as many times as needed, but treatment usually involves six casts.
03
Treatment: phase two
Once your child’s foot is in the correct position, we’ll give them some specially made boots to wear. These are joined together by a bar, which holds the feet and ankles in place. Your child will need to wear their boots all the time for three months. They should only be removed when you give your child a bath.
After three months, your child will only need to wear their boots and bar for 12 to 14 hours each day. When they are sleeping, including any daytime naps, is best.
Your child will need to continue wearing the boots and bar for 12-14 hours each day until the age of five years. If the boots aren’t worn for the correct amount of time, the foot may return to its original position.
04
Follow-up appointments
We’ll arrange regular follow-ups with you and your child during the bracing phase to ensure the foot stays well corrected. Should there be any form of recurrence or relapse, then we’ll provide further casting or your consultant may recommend tendon transfer surgery.
Locations
When your baby needs treatment for club foot, we’re here for them – and you – with our state-of-the-art facility and paediatric orthopaedic experts at The Portland Hospital.
The Portland Hospital
205-209 Great Portland Street W1W 5AH London
Accessing private healthcare
Self-pay
You don’t need health insurance for your child to be seen quickly. If you’re looking for a diagnosis or treatment and don’t want to wait, all of our private healthcare services – from private GP appointments through to surgery and aftercare – can be paid for as and when you need them.
And we’ll give you a clear and transparent quote from the start, outlining exactly what’s included in your self-pay package.
Ponseti treatment for club foot FAQs
It takes a long time to correct club foot, as it involves making sure the bones grow into the correct position. The first phase of casting takes around six weeks.
The second phase of bracing has a strict period of three months, where your child will have to wear the boots and bars all the time. They can only be removed for one hour each day so you can give your child a bath.
After these three months, your child will need to wear the boots and bars for 12-24 hours each day (we usually recommend evening and bedtime wear) until they are five years old.
No, it isn’t painful. Your baby may take a while to get used to having a plaster cast on their leg, but it won’t hurt them.
A club foot will not correct itself and your child’s foot will remain fixed in a turned-in position. The condition could worsen and lead to your child having difficulty walking, foot problems and arthritis, causing life-long pain.
It’s important that you keep the plaster cast dry and ensure it doesn't get soiled from your baby’s nappy. Their nappy should sit above the plaster cast and be changed frequently.
You should avoid bathing your baby during this phase of treatment. Instead, wash them with a flannel, taking care not to get the plaster cast wet.
Your baby’s toes should be pink and warm while they’re wearing the plaster cast. These are signs of good circulation and you should contact us immediately if this is not the case.
“Mr Firth is an exceptional surgeon. One of our children recently underwent surgery with Mr Firth and the care was seamless from pre-op to her recovery.”
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*Based on volumes reported by Private Healthcare Information Network
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.