Congenital talipes equinovarus: A literature review

Abstract

Congenital talipes equinovarus (CTEV) is a congenital disability characterized by leg deformities in the cavus, adducts, varus, and equinus. The etiology of CTEV is poorly understood, despite its incidence ranging from 0.76 to 3.49 cases per 1000 live births in Indonesia. CTEV involves the fixation of the foot in the adducts, varus, and equinus with concurrent soft tissue anomalies. Despite advances in treatment, disability often persists. Theoretical models have been proposed for neurological, vascular, connective tissue, bone, and muscular causes; however, the currently available data suggests that mild cases are associated with intrauterine position. CTEV's etiology appears to involve a hereditary component, as its prevalence varies by ethnic group. Genetic factors have been identified in 24-50% of cases, depending on the community studied. Based on a complex segregation analysis, the most plausible inheritance pattern is a single large-effect gene interacting with a polygenic background.

Keywords: CTEV; Clubfoot; Congenital talipes equinovarus; Etiology; Review study.

Fig. 1

A) Bilateral congenital clubfoot in a newborn, B) Post-manipulation and initial casting of the left and right foot.

Fig. 2

Representation of the movement hypothesis of CTEV, with probable disruptions in normal development (unfilled arrows) causing abnormalities [36].