Surgeons have developed a new technique to fix an uncommon but serious foot deformity that occurs less than 10 percent as often as clubfoot does. Known as Congenital vertical talus (CVT), or "rocker-bottom flat foot," about 1 in 10,000 babies are born with the condition. If they grow up without treatment, they end up walking on the inside of their ankle instead of the bottom of their foot.

The condition causes pain and disability, but now Dr. Matthew B. Dobbs, a pediatric orthopedic surgeon at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, says he has a cure.

Dr. Dobbs developed a technique to correct the problem without extensive surgeries previously required to correct the rigid flatfoot deformity. He gently manipulates the foot by applying long leg casts weekly for four to six weeks. This process gradually corrects the deformity.

After the casting process, he takes an X-ray to see if the problem is solved or if minimal surgery is needed to fully correct the problem, Dr. Dobbs adds.

CVT can affect otherwise healthy children as well as those with genetic birth defects and neuromuscular disorders, Dr. Dobbs said. He also performs surgeries at St. Louis Children's Hospital.