Ponseti Treatment: Step by Step

When you hear the word clubfoot or talipes equinovarus, chances are the first thing you’ll hear right after is:
"Don’t worry, there’s a treatment called the Ponseti Method."

And like any parent searching for answers, you go online and start reading…
But between all the medical terms and technical explanations, the only thing you really want to know is:
"What does this mean for my baby and for us as a family?"

Let me explain it to you in the simplest way I can.

The Ponseti Method is the most widely used treatment around the world to correct clubfoot without major surgery.
Its goal is to help those tiny feet, which are now turned inward, to become aligned and strong, ready for your baby’s first brave steps.

This treatment takes time, it requires patience and consistency, but the good news is that it works in most cases.
Although, as I’ve already shared with you, in our daughter Halia’s case, the Ponseti Method didn’t work as expected, because she has a slightly more complex, atypical clubfoot.
We’re still learning and trying different things, and I’ll share more about that soon on our blog.

The Three Main Stages of the Ponseti Method:

1. The casting phase
   Gentle weekly casts that slowly correct the foot’s position.

2. The tenotomy
   A tiny procedure to release the Achilles tendon and help the foot stretch properly.

3. The Ponseti boots
   Special boots with a bar that help maintain the correction over time.

Each stage has its challenges, but don’t worry—
I’m here to explain each of them step by step, just like I wish someone had done for me when we started this journey.