This malformation, also called talipes, is a deformity of the foot that involves the talus. It is a common anomaly, the incidence being 1 in 1000 births. The condition may be unilateral or bilateral and can usually be corrected by orthopedic treatment.
The basic feature of the clubfpot deformity is an abnormal position of the foot due to which the child has to walk on ankle rather than on the sole of the foot. The different types of clubfoot are named according to the position of the foot. Talipes calcaneovalgus is a type of clubfoot in which the foot is dorsi-flexed and everted. However, the most common type of clubfoot is talipes equinovarus in which the foot is plantar-flexed, inverted and adducted. This condition is more common in male children.
It has been suggested that the clubfoot may result form uterine pressure (especially in oligohydramnios), muscular anomalies and lesions of the nervous system. Hereditary factors have also been claimed to be involved in some cases.