Talipes

Question 1

What are talipes?

Answer 1

Abnormalities of ankle and foot that are present at birth.

Question 2

What are the most two common form talipes?

Answer 2

1. Talipes equinovarus

2. Positional talipes

Question 3

What are Talipes equinovarus?

Answer 3

1. Also known as ‘club foot’
2. Fixed adduction at the talonavicular joint and inversion at the subtalar joint prevents normal movement of the ankle.
3. Restricts active and passive movement at the ankle

Question 4

What is Talipes equinovarus associated with? (3 conditions)

Answer 4

1. Oligohydromnios
2. Developmental dysplasia of the hip
3. Spina Bifida

Question 5

How is the diagnosis of Talipes equinovarus made?

Answer 5

1. Diagnosis is made on examination when the foot is fixed in plantar flexion and forefoot is turned medially
2. Active and passive movement is found to be restricted

Question 6

Management of Talipes Equinovarus?

Answer 6

1. Use of serial plaster casrs (Ponseti method) to achieve satisfactory foot position
2. Surgery may be required by the orthopaedic surgeon

Question 7

What is Positional Talipes and how does it differ?

Answer 7

1. Appearance of talipes equinovarus but the position of the foot is not fixed.
2. Passive movement of the ankle joint is normal
3. Often caused by lack of space in utero

Question 8

Mx of positional talipes?

Answer 8

Self correcting but regular stretching exercises are helpful