Congenital Vertical Talus: An Updated Review

Abstract

Congenital vertical talus (CVT) is the presence of rigid flatfoot deformity characterized by hindfoot valgus and equinus. This foot deformity is associated with midfoot dorsiflexion and forefoot abduction due to a fixed dorsal dislocation of the navicular relative to the head of the talus. It is often underdiagnosed in children due to its similarity to other disorders of the foot. Misdiagnosis of CVT and subsequent failure to address it leads to significant disability and pain. While past surgical management consisted of soft tissue releases that produced varying efficacy, current management of CVT consists of serial casting and minimally invasive procedures that have yielded excellent long-term outcomes. This review provides insight into the diagnosis and treatment of CVT with the intention of highlighting the importance of promptness of intervention to prevent further disability.