Congenital vertical talus

Disease Overview

Congenital vertical talus, sometimes called “rocker-bottom foot,” is a rare birth defect of the foot in which the talus bone has formed in the wrong position and other foot bones have shifted on top of it. As a result, the front of the foot points up and the bottom of the foot is stiff and has no arch (flatfoot), usually curving outward like the bottom of a rocker.[12507] One or both feet may be affected.[12508] The underlying cause of vertical talus is usually not known.[12507] It can occur by itself (isolated) or may be associated with a genetic syndrome or neuromuscular disorder.[12507][12509] Rare familial cases have been reported, some due to a mutation in a gene called HOXD10.[12510] While vertical talus is not painful in very early childhood, if left untreated it typically leads to pain and disability later in life. Treatment usually involves surgery before one year of age to correct the problems with the bones, and the ligaments and tendons that support the bones.[12507]

Synonyms

• CVT
• Pes valgus, congenital convex
• Rocker-bottom foot deformity
• Rocker bottom foot
• Congenital convex pes valgus
• Vertical talus, congenital
• Vertical talus