Heel foot of the newborn (pes calcaneovalgus)

Heel foot, also known as «pes calcaneovalgus», is a deformity of the foot in which the back of the foot is raised too high and the heel points more outwards relative to the lower leg. This deformity is congenital.

The heel foot is extremely good-natured and generally rarely requires therapy. Within the first few months of life, the foot usually recovers quickly on its own from the former lack of space.

It is important to differentiate the malposition of the heel foot from rarer, more treatable congenital foot malpositions. Paediatricians usually refer patients to us for assessment and advice in such cases.

In a mild form, chaff foot is common and, according to the literature, is present in up to 40% of newborns. In severe form, it occurs in approximately one in 1000 newborns.

This foot malposition is usually due to a lack of space in the womb, which can be caused by a constricting position, a lack of fluid in the uterus or reduced space in multiple pregnancies. With this in mind, it is clear that the deformity is often not evenly distributed over both feet or is even only present on one side.

• Conservative (without surgical intervention): Rarely does the heel foot not recover on its own, but persists to a certain extent. In this case, physiotherapy instructions, bandaging or taping can help. A short-term plaster cast can also accelerate the normalisation of the foot.

• Surgical: Surgery is not necessary for classic heel foot.

• Orthopaedic aids: Persistence of the congenital heel foot until the onset of standing and walking is the exception and therefore also the need for orthopaedic measures.

• Without treatment: The typical heel foot often recovers completely without treatment and without permanent differences to healthy feet.

• With treatment: If treatment is necessary, it is carried out without surgery and usually also leads to complete normalisation of the feet by the time walking begins at the latest.