Talipes

[k1yx]

We had a reassurance scan yesterday at 16 weeks and have been told that it looks likely that our baby has talipes in one foot. The sonographer checked the spine, and its looks ok, so they were as confident as they could be that there weren't any other complications.

We've been told that it will be checked carefully at the 20 week scan and if it there are still signs of talipes we will be referred to a consultant.

In the meantime, I keeping thinking of new questions and I have no one to ask! Does anyone have experience of talipes and could answer?

From reading the Steps charity website, it appears that the normal treatment is regular repositioning and casts for the first few weeks, then a brace overnight until around the age of 5, however the sonographer said that most cases could be treated by gentle exercises at home. Does anyone know which tends to be the most likely treatment?

If the casts and braces are required, can normal sleep suits be used, or are we going to have to get creative? I don't want to buy a load of sleep suits that we'll never use!

From what I've read, normally, the only long term impact should be the possibility that the child may be a bit less mobile than average. How does this tend to show? Is walking likely to be delayed much past average? When they're older, will they still be able to join in sports?

Is this likely to increase the risk level of the pregnancy? I was hoping to go to the birth centre, rather than the labour ward, but can only do so if I have a low risk pregnancy.

Hi K1,
My first son had this, albeit mild. I'd never even heard of it at the time. He had physiotherapy for about 6'months, the appointments were at home. We had to do very gentle exercises on his foot, he didn't seem to notice. Problem solved, he's 6 now and both feet the same :)

Thanks Weasle - that's very reassuring.

My DS has talipes in one foot found at 20 week scan. I'm afraid if it's found at this stage it will need casting and the brace rather than massage. Massage is for positional ie when there isn't much room in the womb at the end of pregnancy.
Look for the group Happy Feet Talipes New on Facebook and they can answer all your questions. Do dm me too if you'd like. My son is 2.6 now and doing wonderfully, you wouldn't know he had talipes unless you looked carefully at his foot.
All the best and try not to worry the treatment is really good these days. Steven Gerrard was meant to have had it and he's done ok!

Thanks, Whenwillwe.

It's disappointing that a cast sounds likely, but I'm glad I know now. At least I'll be able to do some research and have questions ready for the consultant.

Thanks for recommending the Facebook group. I'll have a look at it.

The treatment is called Ponseti.. Regular casting to straighten the foot/feet and then possibly a tenotomy to improve foot flexibility.. Full time boots and bars which reduces to overnight after some time.
Our little one had bilateral talipes and was rated 6 on the pirani scale.. She is on overnight boots and bars and she takes part in gymnastics and ballet.. It is eminently treatable as long as you go through with the full treatment.

My son had positional talipes so was not picked up on a scan, it was just when he was born we saw both feet turned inwards. We did gentle exercises that were shown to us by a physio but luckily they straightened out gradually as he got older. They look a bit odd to start with but you get used to it quickly.

Following with interest as we were given the same diagnosis with our little boy at the 20 week scan; I'm 31 weeks now. I was also told by the medical staff that it could likely be treated with physio and massage. But from what I've read then if it is discovered that early it is likely structural rather than positional, so more intensive treatment is probable. It was quite upsetting when we first found out, but we have had time to come to terms with it now.

I was also told that we will need to take him to a specialist at another hospital during the first week to be checked out and to teach us all of the massage techniques, as it is best to start asap while the bones are softest.

I was high risk consultant led anyway so I'm not sure if you can still go to a birthing centre. I wondered about the sleepsuits too, but I guess you can just snip the bottoms off a few as baby will still need warm legs!

Thank you everyone for sharing your positive stories, and for the Facebook group info.

OP: Feel free to PM me if you want to chat more about it. Being a few weeks ahead, I can let you know what happens as I find out!

I don't know the ins and outs of it but have seen it from an outsiders perspective.

There's a boy whose mum I've become friends with (1 1/2 month age gap between her son & my daughter) who has had to have night bars and casts etc.

From what I've seen regarding sleeps suits etc. you'll probably need to get romper suits and use socks if he has bars on. When he's got a cast it's also much easier to go for jogging bottoms rather than fitted trousers but that's all common sense stuff really.

He started to crawl and walk at a similar age to my daughter and it doesn't seem to have halted his development any, he's about 17 months now and has to have the bars on at night and he's just had a little op to sort things out a bit more so currently has a cast but he's just getting on with it. He slowed down for a day after the latest op but is now back to hurtling around everywhere.

My ds 8 is the best footballer I know!! He had boots and a bar til he was 4. Never complained once.. Had casts for 4 weeks then the get - up for 23 hours a day for ten months - then just for bedtime(14 hours) He crawled and walked wearing them!! Also used to stamp on people's feet deliberately the little buggar!! Never dampened him in any way. .

Just joined the Facebook group and it is really great, thank you @Whenwillwe3meetagain !