Ultrasound: a helpful guide in the treatment of congenital talipes equinovarus

Ultrasound may be used to distinguish the unossified cartilage and the ossification centres of the tarsal bones. The use of ultrasound to image the normal foot and the foot with congenital talipes equinovarus (CTEV) deformity has been assessed. We describe two standard ultrasound planes that enable the normal foot to be distinguished from the foot with a CTEV deformity even before it becomes clinically apparent. The technique does not take much time, is easily tolerated by the child, and may be repeated frequently to assess the response to treatment. It can be learned easily.