Overview
Congenital vertical talus (CVT), also known as 'rocker-bottom foot,' is a rare foot deformity that is present at birth and affects both feet (bilateral). In this condition, the talus bone — one of the key bones in the ankle — is positioned abnormally in a vertical direction rather than its normal horizontal alignment. This causes the sole of the foot to have a rounded, convex shape that resembles the bottom of a rocking chair. The foot appears rigid, with the front part pointing upward and outward while the heel is drawn upward by a tight Achilles tendon. Babies born with bilateral congenital vertical talus have stiff, flat feet that do not correct on their own. Without treatment, walking becomes difficult and painful. The abnormal foot shape can lead to calluses on the bottom of the foot, difficulty fitting into shoes, and problems with balance and mobility as the child grows. Congenital vertical talus can occur as an isolated finding or as part of a broader genetic syndrome, such as certain chromosomal abnormalities, arthrogryposis, or neuromuscular conditions. Treatment typically begins in infancy and may involve a combination of serial casting (the reverse Ponseti method) followed by minor surgery to realign the bones and tendons. When treated early, outcomes are generally good, and most children can walk and participate in normal activities. If left untreated, the deformity becomes more rigid over time and may require more extensive surgery.
Key symptoms:
Rigid flat feet present at birthRocker-bottom shape of the soles of the feetFront of the foot pointing upward and outwardTight Achilles tendon pulling the heel upwardStiff feet that cannot be easily moved into a normal positionDifficulty wearing shoesPain on the bottom of the foot when walkingCalluses on the sole of the footDifficulty with balance and walkingAbnormal gait or walking patternFatigue in the feet and legs with activity
Variable
Can be inherited in different ways depending on the underlying gene
Neonatal
Begins at or shortly after birth (first 4 weeks)
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Congenital vertical talus, bilateral.
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Specialists
View all specialists →No specialists are currently listed for Congenital vertical talus, bilateral.
Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Congenital vertical talus, bilateral.
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Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.Is my child's congenital vertical talus isolated or could it be part of a genetic syndrome?,Should we pursue genetic testing to look for an underlying cause?,What is the recommended treatment plan, and when should we start?,How many casts will be needed before surgery?,What are the chances the deformity could come back after treatment?,How long will my child need to wear a brace after treatment?,Will my child be able to walk, run, and play sports normally after treatment?
Common questions about Congenital vertical talus, bilateral
What is Congenital vertical talus, bilateral?
Congenital vertical talus (CVT), also known as 'rocker-bottom foot,' is a rare foot deformity that is present at birth and affects both feet (bilateral). In this condition, the talus bone — one of the key bones in the ankle — is positioned abnormally in a vertical direction rather than its normal horizontal alignment. This causes the sole of the foot to have a rounded, convex shape that resembles the bottom of a rocking chair. The foot appears rigid, with the front part pointing upward and outward while the heel is drawn upward by a tight Achilles tendon. Babies born with bilateral congenital
At what age does Congenital vertical talus, bilateral typically begin?
Typical onset of Congenital vertical talus, bilateral is neonatal. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.