Overview
Congenital vertical talus (CVT), also known as 'rocker-bottom foot,' is a rare foot deformity that is present at birth and affects only one foot (unilateral). 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 and the arch is reversed, meaning the bottom of the foot bulges outward instead of curving inward. Babies born with unilateral congenital vertical talus will typically have one foot that looks noticeably different from the other. The affected foot is stiff, with the front part pointing upward and outward while the heel points downward. This makes it difficult for the child to wear normal shoes and, later, to walk comfortably. Congenital vertical talus can occur as an isolated finding (meaning it happens on its own without other health problems) or it can be associated with other conditions such as genetic syndromes, spinal cord abnormalities, or neuromuscular disorders. Treatment usually begins early in infancy and may involve a combination of serial casting (a technique similar to the Ponseti method used for clubfoot) followed by surgery if needed. Early treatment leads to better outcomes, and most children can achieve a functional, plantigrade foot that allows them to walk and participate in activities. Without treatment, the deformity can cause pain, difficulty walking, and calluses on the bottom of the foot.
Key symptoms:
Rigid flat foot with a rounded or rocker-bottom shapeFoot sole that bulges outward instead of having a normal archFront of the foot pointing upward and outwardStiff foot that does not move through its normal range of motionHeel that appears to point downwardDifficulty fitting into normal shoesPainful calluses on the bottom of the foot if untreatedDifficulty walking or delayed walking milestonesLimping or abnormal walking patternOne foot appearing visibly different from the otherSkin irritation or redness on the sole of the affected foot
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, unilateral.
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Specialists
View all specialists →No specialists are currently listed for Congenital vertical talus, unilateral.
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, unilateral.
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Caregiver Resources
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Social Security Disability
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Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.Is my child's congenital vertical talus an isolated finding, or could it be part of a broader genetic condition?,Should my child have genetic testing to look for an underlying cause?,What treatment approach do you recommend — casting first, surgery, or both?,How many cases of congenital vertical talus have you treated, and what outcomes have you seen?,How long will my child need to wear a brace after treatment?,What are the chances that the deformity could come back after treatment?,Will my child be able to walk normally and participate in sports after treatment?
Common questions about Congenital vertical talus, unilateral
What is Congenital vertical talus, unilateral?
Congenital vertical talus (CVT), also known as 'rocker-bottom foot,' is a rare foot deformity that is present at birth and affects only one foot (unilateral). 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 and the arch is reversed, meaning the bottom of the foot bulges outward instead of curving inward. Babies born with unilateral congenital ve
At what age does Congenital vertical talus, unilateral typically begin?
Typical onset of Congenital vertical talus, unilateral is neonatal. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.