Adult Club Foot

The Ponsetti treatment for club foot was only introduced into the UK in the late 1990’s so there are a lot of adults who will not have enjoyed the benefits of this treatment and have to cope with the typical symptoms associated with the condition which could include: 

Having to walk on their ankles or the sides of their feet  

  • Curled toes 
  • Fused ankles 
  • Callouses 
  • Chronic pain 

Many of these issues can be treated effectively with orthoses as we can manipulate the forces around joints and the internal structures of the foot and ankle. 

These treatments include: 

Dependent on what treatments you may have had in the past our clinicians will review your current symptoms and discuss what goals you want to achieve; this will help your clinician determine which is the right orthotic treatment for you.  

 

BESPOKE ORTHOTICS

PATIENT STORIES

RECENT POSTS

Cat Hendy nominated for BAPO student of the year

Apprentice orthotist Catherine Hendy’s journey into the world of prosthetics and orthotics began in an unconventional way. After completing a degree in art, she then trained as an orthotics technician, before taking up an apprenticeship to become a clinician. Now, she’s been nominated for the British Association of Prosthetists and Orthotists (BAPO) Student of the Year 2024.

Amelia's plagiocephaly journey

Amelia was diagnosed with tightness in her neck by her GP before her plagiocephaly diagnosis. Clinician Jo Drake treated her with a LOCband Lite cranial remoulding helmet, which improved her overall head shape and asymmetry.

Guide to lower limb orthotics

What are lower limb orthotics, and how can they improve mobility and reduce pain? We've put together this summary of the different kinds of lower limb orthotics, from AFOs and KAFOs to more complex orthotics like RGOs, and how they can help patients with their mobility goals.

Barney's plagiocephaly journey

Barney's very severe flat head syndrome (plagiocephaly) and diagnosis of torticollis led to successful helmet therapy with the LOCband, significantly improving his head shape, going from 27mm asymmetry to 12mm.

Pectus bracing treatment improves Aris' complex chest deformity

“It’s life-changing, my swimming coach has even remarked what a difference my treatment has made" Read how pectus bracing treatment helped to correct Aris' complex chest deformity, involving a combination of pectus excavatum, pectus carinatum and rib flaring.

 Lucas's walking improves after just six months in his new AFOs

Cerebral palsy patient Lucas sees significant improvement in his walking after only six months in his new custom Ankle Foot Orthoses (AFOs), designed by Professor Saeed Forghany in our Manchester clinic. Hear how a detailed gait analysis and bespoke AFOs significantly improved Lucas's gait and comfort.

Freddie's plagiocephaly journey

Freddie’s positional plagiocephaly was treated successfully with the LOCBand Lite, going from 11mm to 2mm after four months in his helmet.

Natasha can walk again thanks to her new orthotics

Adult club foot (talipes) patient Natasha says, "I cannot stress how amazing my AFOs are and how they have changed so much for me. The support they give me allows me to walk without crutches outside the house for the first time in over fifteen years."

Pevious Next

FAQs:

The Cunningham Brace was designed by Jerald Cunningham, who runs his own clinic in the US. It works using a firm strap around the thigh and a spring that holds the brace up against the bottom of the foot. This means that the brace is always gently stretching your baby’s foot into the correct position, in a similar way that a therapist applies manipulation. 

Jerald developed the brace at the request of an orthopaedic surgeon and colleague who saw how distressing the boots and bar process was for many children and parents. Jerald has worked on the design for more than 10 years, tweaking as he goes, based on x-ray evidence after every patient fitting.

The exact number will depend on your child and their condition, but typically a child will only need to wear two to three braces over a two-year period. The first for about six months, then a year each for the second and third. 

Very often parents contact us before their baby is even born, having discovered the club foot on a scan. However, they first need to go through the Ponseti method with their consultant and then be triaged by a specialist physiotherapist before we can start treatment.

No problem. Often parents come to us after they’ve tried persevering with the boots and bar treatment for a few months. It may change our treatment plan a little and your child might need treatment for a bit longer, but the process will essentially be the same.

The cost of treating club foot depends on whether your child will need one or both legs braced. You can find all the information you need on our club foot treatment pricing page.

At the moment we can fit the brace at our clinics in Kingston-upon-Thames and Bristol; in addition, we can do follow up appointments at our Manchester clinic. There is a certain amount we can do virtually, but your first fitting would need to be done in person.

If your patient has asked you for more information about club foot treatment or the Cunningham Brace, our director Sam Walmsley would be happy to speak with you directly to explain the process. We can also offer your team an online presentation. Contact the LOC team if you’d like to know more.

The Ponseti method was only introduced in the UK in the late 1990s, which means there are lots of adults living with the long-term impact of untreated club foot. The good news is that many of the common problems that adults experience can be treated effectively with orthoses. Take a look at our treatment for adults with club foot page for more information.

If you would like to talk to us about your baby’s club foot and Cunningham Brace treatment, please don’t hesitate to get in touch via our Request an Appointment form or by calling us on 020 8974 9989.

For Plagiocephaly free photo diagnosis, please upload images in accordance with our plagiocephaly photo guide (max. 2mb each).

For Pectus, please follow our pectus photo guide (max 2mb each).