Congenital vertebral talus (CVT) is a rare anatomical and orthopedic condition. However, managing the problem is a challenge, especially when neglected. In the current narrative review, we aim to highlight the pathologic anatomy and clinical correlation of this bony deformity with an emphasis on how to avoid neglecting its early diagnosis. CVT appears clinically as a rigid, by a rounded convex sole or called rocker-bottom foot deformity with a prominent heel. The main pathological cause of the deformity is due to the vertical position of the talus with rigid dorsal dislocation of the navicular bone as well as lateral and dorsal dislocation of the talonavicular joint. Its exact causes are still unknown; however, there is accumulating evidence of a genetic predisposition of CVT. In about half of cases, CVT is associated with other neuromuscular or genetic disorders. The CVT diagnosis depends on clinical and radiological findings. Radiological diagnosis may be missed in newborns because many tarsal bones remain unossified. Neglect of CVT can lead to significant disability and deformity with foot pain, abnormal gait, functional limitations, and problems wearing shoes, as well as difficulties in surgical treatment with more extensive tissue release. The type of surgery used to repair CVT deformity depends mainly on the age of the patient and the severity of the deformity, which gets worse with age. Screening for foot defects in newborns, especially those with rigid foot deformity or other congenital anomalies, is highly recommended to rule out the possibility of CVT and thus avoid its neglect and resulting difficulties.
Keywords: Rocker-Bottom Foot, Rigid Flatfoot, Convex Pes Valgus, Congenital Convex.
Source: Mohammad Abdelmonem Hegazy, Hossam Mohammed Khairy, Abdelmonem Awad Hegazy, Mohamed Abd El Fattah Sebaei, Sami Ibrahim Sadek. Congenital Vertical Talus: A Review of Anatomy and Clinical Correlation. Int J Anat Res 2024;12(3):8949-8960. DOI: 10.16965/ijar.2024.125
