What's The Story?

This photograph is from the board book "I Like to Eat" published by Topka in November 2007 - more details about the book are available on the In The Picture booklist.

The child in this photograph was born with club feet [sometimes known as Talipes]. This meant that her feet were pointed towards the midline of her body and she could not walk. She received orthopaedic treatment and her feet now appear the same as most other children, however, they have a tendency to revert to their natural state so she needs to wear the orthopaedic shoes shown in this photograph. They are basically ordinary shoes worn on the opposite foot [i.e. left shoe on right foot and vice versa] and joined by a metal bar. She will continue to wear them until her foot structure is hardened by age and use.

Initially a child would have to wear the shoes for 23 hours a day, this is gradually reduced until it is no longer necessary. Children who wear this type of device are usually able to crawl and stand if they have something to lean on. Their legs are unable to move independently whilst wearing the shoes. As the number of hours of wear is reduced, they will begin to learn to walk with the help of a walking frame - click here to see an illustration of a walking frame.

If you want to include a child wearing this type of shoe in your illustrations bear in mind that they would usually wear long trousers to prevent damage to the knees.

Click here to read more about clubfoot and treatments/equipment.