The Ponsetti treatment for club foot was only introduced into the UK in the late 1990’s so there are a lot of adults who will not have enjoyed the benefits of this treatment and have to cope with the typical symptoms associated with the condition which could include:
Having to walk on their ankles or the sides of their feet
Many of these issues can be treated effectively with orthoses as we can manipulate the forces around joints and the internal structures of the foot and ankle.
These treatments include:
Dependent on what treatments you may have had in the past our clinicians will review your current symptoms and discuss what goals you want to achieve; this will help your clinician determine which is the right orthotic treatment for you.
When John Beacom and his wife, Janet, embarked on a trip of a lifetime around the UK, little did they know that it would nearly end in disaster. As a child, John had contracted Poliomyelitis, better known as polio, an infectious disease that can cause flaccid paralysis if the virus enters the central nervous system ... continue reading ...
After contracting poliomyelitis, better known as polio, back in the fifties when he was just 18 months old, John Gates was left with slightly reduced muscle movement in his left leg and barely any at all in his right. Polio is an infectious disease that can cause flaccid paralysis if the virus enters the central nervous system ... continue reading ...
Mr Jan Raposa has peroneal, gastrocnemius and soleus weakness with ankle instability following a herniated L4/5 lumbar vertebrae. Being otherwise fit and healthy – Jan’s rehabilitation goals were to return to his previous high-level activities - running and triathlons ... continue reading ...
Ellen came to LOC having suffered a stress fracture of her 2nd metatarsal in her right foot. She has high arched feet and given the intensity of her training and her recent injury she attended LOC to see what could be done to lessen her symptoms and allow her to train for a marathon ... continue reading ...
Nick attended LOC back on the 6th of May 2015, having suffered a traumatic brain injury in 2009. He had made progress in his recovery and had started to undertake some serious athletic endeavours as a part of his physical therapy. He was suffering from a right-sided foot drop and this was restricting his recovery ... continue reading ...
Luca was diagnosed with moderate to severe brachycephaly, a condition where the head is unusually wide and flat. Here, Mum Lauren tells us his story.
From debilitating challenges with foot drop to conquering mountains... New carbon-fibre Ankle Foot Orthoses (AFOs) help this Charcot-Marie-Tooth patient climb Mount Kilimanjaro.
Vacuum bell therapy and custom rib bracing helped to improve Charlie's pectus excavatum chest shape, reducing his sternum indentation from 40mm to 10mm.
Among 14 to 17-year-old cricket players, there is an increased risk of pars stress fracture, or spondylolysis, which can cause lower back pain and reduced mobility. These athletes are at high risk due to their still-developing bones, which struggle to cope with the repetitive stress of fast bowling.
Apprentice orthotist Catherine Hendy’s journey into the world of prosthetics and orthotics began in an unconventional way. After completing a degree in art, she then trained as an orthotics technician, before taking up an apprenticeship to become a clinician. Now, she’s been nominated for the British Association of Prosthetists and Orthotists (BAPO) Student of the Year 2024.
Amelia was diagnosed with tightness in her neck by her GP before her plagiocephaly diagnosis. Clinician Jo Drake treated her with a LOCband Lite cranial remoulding helmet, which improved her overall head shape and asymmetry.
What are lower limb orthotics, and how can they improve mobility and reduce pain? We've put together this summary of the different kinds of lower limb orthotics, from AFOs and KAFOs to more complex orthotics like RGOs, and how they can help patients with their mobility goals.
Barney's very severe flat head syndrome (plagiocephaly) and diagnosis of torticollis led to successful helmet therapy with the LOCband, significantly improving his head shape, going from 27mm asymmetry to 12mm.
The Cunningham Brace was designed by Jerald Cunningham, who runs his own clinic in the US. It works using a firm strap around the thigh and a spring that holds the brace up against the bottom of the foot. This means that the brace is always gently stretching your baby’s foot into the correct position, in a similar way that a therapist applies manipulation.
Jerald developed the brace at the request of an orthopaedic surgeon and colleague who saw how distressing the boots and bar process was for many children and parents. Jerald has worked on the design for more than 10 years, tweaking as he goes, based on x-ray evidence after every patient fitting.
The exact number will depend on your child and their condition, but typically a child will only need to wear two to three braces over a two-year period. The first for about six months, then a year each for the second and third.
Very often parents contact us before their baby is even born, having discovered the club foot on a scan. However, they first need to go through the Ponseti method with their consultant and then be triaged by a specialist physiotherapist before we can start treatment.
No problem. Often parents come to us after they’ve tried persevering with the boots and bar treatment for a few months. It may change our treatment plan a little and your child might need treatment for a bit longer, but the process will essentially be the same.
The cost of treating club foot depends on whether your child will need one or both legs braced. You can find all the information you need on our club foot treatment pricing page.
At the moment we can fit the brace at our clinics in Kingston-upon-Thames and Bristol; in addition, we can do follow up appointments at our Manchester clinic. There is a certain amount we can do virtually, but your first fitting would need to be done in person.
If your patient has asked you for more information about club foot treatment or the Cunningham Brace, our director Sam Walmsley would be happy to speak with you directly to explain the process. We can also offer your team an online presentation. Contact the LOC team if you’d like to know more.
The Ponseti method was only introduced in the UK in the late 1990s, which means there are lots of adults living with the long-term impact of untreated club foot. The good news is that many of the common problems that adults experience can be treated effectively with orthoses. Take a look at our treatment for adults with club foot page for more information.
If you would like to talk to us about your baby’s club foot and Cunningham Brace treatment, please don’t hesitate to get in touch via our Request an Appointment form or by calling us on 020 8974 9989.
