- Reference Number: HEY1478-2024
- Departments: Paediatrics
- Last Updated: 31 July 2024
Nights and Naps
Once the 12 weeks Boots and Bar treatment period is complete and providing your child still has good range of movement of their feet, they will only need to wear the ‘boots and bar’ for sleep time. This is known as ‘nights and naps’ and will continue until age 5.
Your child needs to wear the boots and bar for 12 to 14 hours each day which can easily be accommodated overnight and in daytime naps.
The reason for the naps, even if you have got the 12 to 14 hours overnight, is to ensure continuity. Your child should be consistent in wearing the boots and bar whilst in their normal place of sleep.
The Ponseti team will monitor the movement of your child’s feet and will make any minor adjustments if necessary. Any problems with wearing the boots need to be reported immediately to the Ponseti team.
During the day your child needs to wear well fitted shoes.
At this stage, the Ponseti team do not book any more routine appointments, but you will be reviewed by the Paediatric Orthopaedic team at three months and then at intervals of the following several years..
The ‘nights and naps’ stage will continue until your child is 5 years old to prevent re-occurrence of the original foot position. However, continued infrequent monitoring of your child will continue for several years to ensure no problems arise as they grow.
It is important that your child does not use a baby bouncer or walker as this encourages them to point their foot downwards which is the position the treatment has been working against.
New Boots
As children grow very quickly, they will regularly need replacement boots. If your child’s toes are at the end of the boots or they are starting to get skin marking they may be ready for a new pair. If you contact the department, we will either arrange to supply a new pair or assess the fit if they have not been checked in a while.
It is important that you bring the old boots and bar with you when collecting the new boots so we can check them.
If you have any concerns regards skin marks or pressure, please contact us and we will arrange a review as the boots and bar may need changing or adjusting.
Important Information
Although your child’s foot / feet now look normal they must continue to wear the boots and bar to maintain the corrected position as we know that there is a gene related to the relapse of the CTEV position, which is active until age 5 years old.
There is evidence that poor compliance can cause relapse and so it is vital that strict compliance to this stage is maintained to minimise this risk.
The Ponseti team is able to help advise if you are struggling with any aspect.
Contact Numbers: tel: 01482 674539 or 01482 674532 (Monday to Friday 8am to 4pm)
