Positional talipes

Positional talipes is when your baby is born with one or both of their feet in an unusual position. This foot position is flexible and can be corrected with gentle pressure.

Positional talipes affects 2 in every 100 babies born. It can affect one foot or both feet.

Positional talipes usually goes away within a few months. It's unlikely to cause any problems by the time your baby is old enough to start walking.

What's the difference between positional talipes and clubfoot?

Structural talipes, also known as clubfoot (Opens in new tab), is when your baby's foot is in an unusual position and is not flexible. Clubfoot affects about 1 in every 1000 babies born. It can't be corrected with gentle stretching and often needs treatment such as casts (Opens in new tab) and surgery. (Opens in new tab)

For most babies with positional talipes, their foot points down and inwards. This is called 'talipes equinovarus'.

For other babies with positional talipes, their foot points up and outwards. This is called 'talipes calcaneovalgus'. Talipes calcaneovalgus is much less common.

Your baby's foot and ankle will move easily when you gently bend them into the correct position.

It's not fully understood what causes positional talipes. It may develop during pregnancy if your baby doesn't have enough room to move their feet inside your uterus.

Positional talipes is usually diagnosed by your doctor or midwife when they give your baby a routine head-to-toe check after birth.

Sometimes positional talipes is diagnosed during an ultrasound scan towards the end of your pregnancy. This method of diagnosis is not always accurate.

Positional talipes will usually get better with gentle stretching exercises. Check with your doctor or a physiotherapist (Opens in new tab) before starting exercises with your baby.

Massaging your baby's lower leg can help to loosen tight muscles around their feet.

Give your baby plenty of time and space to move their legs as much as they want. It's best not to wrap them tightly or dress them in tight-fitting clothes.

Ask your doctor or child health nurse to check your baby's foot position. They can do this at routine health checks.

Exercises for positional talipes

Do your baby's stretching exercises at a time that your baby is settled and calm. The exercises shouldn't be painful. If your baby starts crying, stop for a while or apply pressure more gently.

Talipes equinovarus (foot points down and inwards)

1. Use one hand to hold your baby's leg still.
2. With your other hand, gently turn your baby's foot outwards so it lines up with their shin.
3. Hold this position for 10 to 15 seconds.
4. Repeat this 3 times at each nappy change.
5. Stroke or tickle the outside of your baby's foot (the side of their little toe). They may respond by pulling their foot outwards and upwards. This strengthens the muscles that can help correct your baby's foot position.
6. Massage the muscles on the inside of your baby's foot and behind their ankle.

Talipes calcaneovalgus (foot points up and outwards)

1. Use one hand to hold your baby's leg still.
2. With your other hand, gently press the front of their foot downwards so it lines up with their shin.
3. Hold this position for 10 to 15 seconds.
4. Repeat this 3 times at each nappy change.
5. Stroke or tickle underneath the front of your baby's foot or behind their ankle. They may respond by pointing their toes downwards. This strengthens the muscles that can help correct your baby's foot position.
6. Massage the muscles on the front of your baby's ankle and the top of their foot.

If you have been doing exercises with your baby and the position of their foot is not improving, talk to your doctor or physiotherapist.

If treated, positional talipes is not likely to cause any complications by the time your baby is old enough to start walking.

If your baby has positional talipes, their hip joint might also be in an unusual position. You may feel or hear a click if you move their hip. This is called hip dysplasia (Opens in new tab). Hip dysplasia may need to be treated with physiotherapy or wearing a brace.

Ask your doctor or midwife to check if your baby's hips are in the right position.

Talk to your doctor or physiotherapist if you're concerned about your baby's feet.

The Royal Women's Hospital has a guide showing some stretches to help treat positional talipes (Opens in new tab).