Long-Term Comparative Results in Patients with Congenital Clubfoot Treated with Two Different Protocols

• Published in: Journal of bone and joint surgery. American volume Vol. 85; no. 7; pp. 1286 - 1294
• Main Authors: Ippolito, E, Farsetti, P, Caterini, R, Tudisco, C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Boston, MA Copyright by The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Incorporated 01-07-2003; Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery Incorporated; Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery AMERICAN VOLUME
• Edition: American volume
• Subjects: Achilles Tendon - surgery; Adult; Age Factors; Biological and medical sciences; Casts, Surgical; Clinical Protocols; Clubfoot - diagnostic imaging; Clubfoot - physiopathology; Clubfoot - therapy; Combined Modality Therapy; Diseases of the osteoarticular system; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Male; Malformations and congenital and or hereditary diseases involving bones. Joint deformations; Manipulation, Orthopedic - methods; Medical sciences; Range of Motion, Articular; Recurrence; Severity of Illness Index; Tendon Transfer - methods; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Treatment Outcome; Walking; Human; Treatment; Congenital; Malformation; Diseases of the osteoarticular system; Long term; Comparative study; Clubfoot
• ISSN: 0021-9355; 1535-1386
• DOI: 10.2106/00004623-200307000-00015

BackgroundLong-term follow-up studies of adults who had been treated for congenital clubfoot as infants are rare. The purpose of this study was to review and compare the long-term results in two groups of patients with congenital clubfoot treated with two different techniques. In both groups, treatment was started within the first three weeks of life by manipulation and application of toe-to-groin plaster casts, with a different technique in each group. At the end of the manipulative treatment, a posteromedial release was performed when the patient was between eight and twelve months of age in the first group and a limited posterior release was performed when the patient was between two and four months of age in the second group.MethodsAt the follow-up evaluations, all patients were interviewed and examined, and standing anteroposterior and lateral radiographs and computed tomography scans of the foot were made. The results of treatment were graded according to the system of Laaveg and Ponseti. Numerous angular measurements were made on the radiographs, and the measurements in the two groups were compared.ResultsThe first group, which included thirty-two patients (forty-seven clubfeet), was followed until an average age of twenty-five years. The second group, with thirty-two patients (forty-nine clubfeet), was followed until an average age of nineteen years. In the first group, there were two excellent, eighteen good, eleven fair, and sixteen poor results. In the second group, there were eighteen excellent, twenty good, six fair, and five poor results. According to the system of Laaveg and Ponseti, the mean rating in the first group was 74.7 points and that in the second group was 85.4 points.ConclusionsIn the second group, use of Ponsetiʼs manipulation technique and cast immobilization followed by an open heel-cord lengthening and a limited posterior ankle release gave much better long-term results than those obtained in the first group, treated with our manipulation technique and cast immobilization followed by an extensive posteromedial release of the foot. In our hands, this operation did not prevent relapse, and neither cavovarus nor forefoot adduction was completely corrected.Level of EvidenceTherapeutic study, Level III-2 (retrospective cohort study). See Instructions to Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.