Ponseti method in the treatment of post-operative relapsed idiopathic clubfoot after posteromedial release. A short term functional study

BackgroundRelapsed clubfeet deformity after surgical treatment by posteromedial release are frequently encountered in pediatric orthopedic practice and further revision surgery may be needed. As surgery adds more fibrosis and scaring, complication may be devastating and treatment is challenging. Ponseti method, the gold standard technique for treatment of clubfoot may be of a value in the management of postoperative relapses.Aim of the studyDetermine the effectiveness of Ponseti casting Method in treatment of relapsed idiopathic clubfoot in children after being treated with surgical posteromedial release.Materials and methodsProspective interventional study of 17 patients (25 feet) presented with a relapsed idiopathic clubfoot deformity after previous surgical posteromedial release. The patients were reviewed using Pirani and Dimeglio score. Ponseti method was done to obtain supple, flexible foot rather than a fully corrected foot, the residual deformity were treated by, heel cord lengthening or tenotomy, tibialis anterior transfer, follow up was for a minimum of 12 months.Result17 Patients (25 feet) their age ranging from 1 to 10 years were evaluated and treated. Casts were applied until the only deformities remaining were either hindfoot equinus and/or dynamic supination.22 feet required a heel cord procedure for equinus and 13 required tibialis anterior transfer for dynamic supination. The follow up (average 56.1 months) was for a minimum of one year. 4 feet had persistent heel varus deformity which required Calcaneal osteotomy later. Three feet didn’t need more casting and 2 feet were resistant cases that required further Ilizarov procedure, 4 needed lateral arch shortening and other 4 needed posterior capsulotomy. Improvement in the Pirani and Dimeglio scores was highly statistically significant.ConclusionPonseti method for treatment of relapsed clubfeet after a previous posteromedial soft tissue surgical release is an effective, non invasive, with excellent results.     

Management of idiopathic clubfoot in toddlers by Ponseti's method

The Ponseti method has been reported to have successful results in clubfoot patients less than 6 months of age but the literature on its efficacy in older clubfoot patients still remains sparse. In our study, we prospectively evaluated 55 clubfeet (37 patients) to determine clinically whether the Ponseti method is effective in the management of clubfoot in older children between the age of 12 and 36 months (mean: 24.8 months). All the patients belonged to moderate or severe grades of deformity as per the Pirani scoring. Painless, supple, plantigrade and cosmetically acceptable feet were achieved in 49 clubfeet. Seven patients (seven feet) developed recurrence of adduction, varus and equinus deformity whereas three patients (five feet) developed isolated recurrence of equinus deformity. These seven patients responded to repeat treatment and obtained satisfactory outcome. Four of these seven patients underwent tibialis anterior transfer to third cuneiform for dynamic supination. Three patients, those developed isolated recurrence of equinus deformity, underwent repeat tenotomy. One foot achieved satisfactory amount of dorsiflexion, three feet underwent tendoachilles lengthening whereas another foot underwent posterior release to obtain satisfactory dorsiflexion. Six to 12 numbers of casts (mean: 10) were required to obtain correction of clubfoot deformities. Mean period of immobilization in a cast was 13.9 weeks (10-15 weeks). We found that the Ponseti method is effective in children between the age of 12 and 36 months.     

Good results after Ponseti treatment for neglected congenital clubfoot in Ethiopia: A prospective study of 22 children (32 feet) from 2 to 10 years of age

Background and purpose —

Neglected clubfoot deformity is a major cause of disability in low-income countries. Most children with clubfoot have little access to treatment in these countries, and they are often inadequately treated. We evaluated the effectiveness of Ponseti’s technique in neglected clubfoot in children in a rural setting in Ethiopia.

Patients and methods —

A prospective study was conducted from June 2007 through July 2010. 22 consecutive children aged 2–10 years (32 feet) with neglected clubfoot were treated by the Ponseti method. The deformity was assessed using the Pirani scoring system. The average follow-up time was 3 years.

Results —

A plantigrade functional foot was obtained in all patients by Ponseti casting and limited surgical intervention. 2 patients (4 feet) had recurrent deformity. They required re-manipulation and re-tenotomy of the Achilles tendon and 1 other patient required tibialis anterior transfer for dynamic supination deformity of the foot.

Interpretation —

This study shows that the Ponseti method with some additional surgery can be used successfully as the primary treatment in neglected clubfoot, and that it minimizes the need for extensive corrective surgery.Many children with congenital talipes equino varus (CTEV) in low-income countries end up with neglected clubfoot deformity (untreated children > 2 years) because of the lack of treatment capacity. In Ethiopia, it is estimated that there are 3,000–5,000 new CTEV cases per year, but there are no reliable data available.Neglected clubfoot is a common, disabling problem in Ethiopia. For many years, the treatment for clubfoot in Ethiopia has been nonoperative treatment with Kite’s technique, followed by a posteromedial release, with significant surgical complications and poor results (personal observations by the authors). A dramatic reduction in radical clubfoot operation has been reported in parts of the world where Ponseti treatment has been introduced (Morquende et al. 2004, Zionts et al. 2010). We have the same subjective impression in Ethiopia, but there are no published data.Ponseti treatment was introduced in Ethiopia in June 2005 at the Orthopaedic Department, Black Lion Hospital (BLH), University of Addis Ababa. It has gradually been adopted in several places in a cooperation between BLH and Cure International, Ethiopia. Several thousand children have been involved.In the past decade, the Ponseti method has become recognized globally as the gold standard for clubfoot treatment in younger children (< 2 years old) (Cooper et al. 1995, Bor et al. 2009, Pirani et al. 2009, Sætersdal et al. 2012).There have been some reports of Ponseti treatment being given successfully to children with neglected clubfoot (Verma et al. 2012, Laurenco et al. 2007, Alves et al. 2009), but there has been no general acceptance of treating children older than 2 years with this method. Today, these children are probably treated with radical operations or left untreated (De Rosa and Norrish 2012).Inspired by the results of A. F. Laurenco, which were communicated personally before his article was published in 2007, we treated some neglected children over the age of 2 years when the Ponseti treatment was started in Addis Ababa (at BLH), and the initial results were encouraging.The objective of this study was to prospectively evaluate the short-term results of using the Ponseti technique for treatment of children with neglected clubfoot deformity in a rural hospital in Ethiopia.     

How Do Different Anterior Tibial Tendon Transfer Techniques Influence Forefoot and Hindfoot Motion?

Background

Idiopathic clubfoot correction is commonly performed using the Ponseti method and is widely reported to provide reliable results. However, a relapsed deformity may occur and often is treated in children older than 2.5 years with repeat casting, followed by an anterior tibial tendon transfer. Several techniques have been described, including a whole tendon transfer using a two-incision technique or a three-incision technique, and a split transfer, but little is known regarding the biomechanical effects of these transfers on forefoot and hindfoot motion.

Questions/purpose

We used a cadaveric foot model to test the effects of three tibialis anterior tendon transfer techniques on forefoot positioning and production of hindfoot valgus.

Methods

Ten fresh-frozen cadaveric lower legs were used. We applied 150 N tension to the anterior tibial tendon, causing the ankle to dorsiflex. Three-dimensional motions of the first metatarsal, calcaneus, and talus relative to the tibia were measured in intact specimens, and then repeated after each of the three surgical techniques.

Results

Under maximum dorsiflexion, the intact specimens showed 6° (95% CI, 2.2°–9.4°) forefoot supination and less than 3° (95% CI, 0.4°–5.3°) hindfoot valgus motion. All three transfers provided increased forefoot pronation and hindfoot valgus motion compared with intact specimens: the three-incision whole transfer provided 38° (95% CI, 33°–43°; p < 0.01) forefoot pronation and 10° (95% CI, 8.5°–12°; p < 0.01) hindfoot valgus; the split transfer, 28° (95% CI, 24°–32°; p < 0.01) pronation, 9° (95% CI, 7.5°–11°; p < 0.01) valgus; and the two-incision transfer, 25° (95% CI, 20°–31°; p < 0.01) pronation, 6° (95% CI, 4.2°–7.8°; p < 0.01) valgus.

Conclusion

All three techniques may be useful and deliver varying degrees of increased forefoot pronation, with the three-incision whole transfer providing the most forefoot pronation. Changes in hindfoot motion were small.

Clinical Relevance

Our study results show that the amount of forefoot pronation varied for different transfer methods. Supple dynamic forefoot supination may be treated with a whole transfer using a two-incision technique to avoid overcorrection, while a three-incision technique or a split transfer may be useful for more resistant feet. Confirmation of these findings awaits further clinical trials.     

Does initial Pirani score and age influence number of Ponseti casts in children?

Purpose

The prediction of number of casts in the Ponseti method has always remained a subject of interest. We investigated the correlation of the number of casts before tenotomy with the age and initial Pirani score in Ponseti treatment of club foot.

Methods

Inclusion criteria were idiopathic clubfeet corrected by Ponseti method requiring tenotomy for equinus correction in children up to ten years of age. Defaulters (noncompliance with serial casting schedule), children with postural, non idiopathic, previously surgically treated, recurrent clubfoot and clubfoot not requiring tenotomy were not included in this study. Further, children who did not require tenotomy were also excluded. ANOVA regression analysis was used for finding correlation between initial Pirani score, age in months and number of corrective casts prior to tenotomy.

Results

There were a total of 297 children (442 feet) in the study. The average age of the child at presentation was 10.3 months and the average initial Pirani score was 4.8. The average number of corrective casts was seven per child (range, two to18). The regression analysis showed both Pirani and age had positive correlation with number of casts, although weak (r² = 0.05–0.20). The initial Pirani scoring correlated ten times more than age (in months) to the number of casts.

Conclusion

The number of casts for correction in idiopathic clubfoot, although variable, is influenced by both initial Pirani score and age.     

A comprehensive outcome comparison of surgical and Ponseti clubfoot treatments with reference to pediatric norms

Purpose

Isolated congenital clubfoot can be treated either operatively (posteromedial release) or conservatively (Ponseti method). This study retrospectively compared mid-term outcomes after surgical and Ponseti treatments to a normal sample and used multiple evaluation techniques, such as detailed gait analysis and foot kinematics.

Methods

Twenty-six children with clubfoot treated surgically and 22 children with clubfoot treated with the Ponseti technique were evaluated retrospectively and compared to 34 children with normal feet. Comprehensive evaluation included a full gait analysis with multi-segment and single-segment foot kinematics, pedobarograph, physical examination, validated outcome questionnaires, and radiographic measurements.

Results

The Ponseti group had significantly better plantarflexion and dorsiflexion range of motion during gait and had greater push-off power. Residual varus was present in both treatment groups, but more so in the operative group. Gait analysis also showed that the operative group had residual in-toeing, which appeared well corrected in the Ponseti group. Pedobarograph results showed that the operative group had significantly increased varus and significantly decreased medial foot pressure. The physical examination demonstrated significantly greater stiffness in the operative group in dorsiflexion, plantarflexion, ankle inversion, and midfoot abduction and adduction. Surveys showed that the Ponseti group had significantly more normal pediatric outcome data collection instrument results, disease-specific indices, and Dimeglio scores. The radiographic results suggested greater equinus and cavus and increased foot internal rotation profile in the operative group compared with the Ponseti group.

Conclusions

Ponseti treatment provides superior outcome to posteromedial release surgery, but residual deformity still persists.     

Radiography and sonography of clubfoot: A comparative study

Background:

Congenital talipes equinovarus is a common foot deformity afflicting children with reported incidence varying from 0.9/1000 to 7/1000 in various populations. The success reported with Ponseti method when started at an early age requires an imaging modality to quantitate the deformity. Sonography being a radiation free, easily available non-invasive imaging has been investigated for this purpose. Various studies have described the sonographic anatomy of normal neonatal foot and clubfoot and correlated the degree of severity with trends in sonographic measurements. However, none of these studies have correlated clinical, radiographic and sonographic parameters of all the component deformities in clubfoot. The present study aims to compare the radiographic and sonographic parameters in various grades of clubfoot.

Materials and Methods:

Thirty-one children with unilateral clubfoot were examined clinically and graded according to the Demeglio system of classification of clubfoot severity. Antero-posterior (AP) and lateral radiographs of both normal and affected feet were obtained in maximum correction and AP talo-calcaneal (T-C), AP talo-first metatarsal (TMT) and lateral T-C angles were measured. Sonographic examination was done in medial, lateral, dorsal and posterior projections of both feet in static neutral position and after Ponseti manouever in the position of maximum correctability in dynamic sonography. Normal foot was taken as control in all cases. The sonographic parameters measured were as follows : Medial malleolar- navicular distance (MMN) and medial soft tissue thickness (STT) on medial projection, calcaneo-cuboid (C-C) distance, calcaneo-cuboid (C-C) angle and maximum length of calcaneus on lateral projection, length of talus on dorsal projection; and tibiocalcaneal (T-C) distance, posterior soft tissue thickness and length of tendoachilles on posterior projection. Also, medial displacement of navicular relative to talus, mobility of talonavicular joint (medial view); reducibility of C-C mal alignment (lateral view); talonavicular relation with respect to dorsal/ ventral displacement of navicular (dorsal view) and reduction of talus within the ankle mortise (posterior view) were subjectively assessed while performing dynamic sonography. Various radiographic and sonographic parameters were correlated with clinical grades.

Results:

MMN distance and STT measured on medial view, C-C distance and C-C angle measured on lateral view and tibiocalcaneal distance measured on posterior view showed statistically significant difference between cases and controls. A significant correlation was evident between sonographic parameters and clinical grades of relevant components of clubfoot. All radiographic angles except AP T-C angle were significantly different between cases and controls. However, they did not show correlation with clinical degree of severity.

Conclusion:

All radiographic angles except AP T-C angle and sonographic parameters varied significantly between cases and controls. However, radiographic parameters did not correlate well with clubfoot severity. In contrast, sonography not only assessed all components of clubfoot comprehensively but also the sonographic parameters correlated well with the severity of these components. Thus, we conclude that sonography is a superior, radiation free imaging modality for clubfoot.     

Posterior tibialis tendonopathy in an adolescent soccer player: a case report

Objective

Detail the progress of an adolescent soccer player with right-sided chronic medial foot pain due to striking an opponent’s leg while kicking the ball. The patient underwent diagnostic ultrasound and a conservative treatment plan.

Clinical Features

The most important features were hindfoot varus, forefoot abduction, flatfoot deformity, and inability to single leg heel raise due to pain. Conventional treatment was aimed at decreasing hypertonicity and improving function of the posterior tibialis muscle and tendon.

Intervention and Outcome

Conservative treatment approach utilized soft tissue therapy in the form of Active Release Technique^®, and eccentric exercises designed to focus on the posterior tibial muscle and lower limb stability. Outcome measures included subjective pain ratings, and resisted muscle testing.

Conclusion

A patient with posterior tibialis tendonopathy due to injury while playing soccer was relieved of his pain after 4 treatments over 4 weeks of soft tissue therapy and rehabilitative exercises focusing on the lower limb, specifically the posterior tibialis muscle.     

Ponseti treatment in the management of clubfoot deformity - a continuing role for paediatric orthopaedic services in secondary care centres

INTRODUCTION

The Ponseti technique is a well-proven way of managing paediatric clubfoot deformity. We describe a management set-up which spreads the care between secondary and tertiary care with no loss of quality.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In our audit of the first 2 years of Ponseti casting in the treatment of idiopathic congenital talipes equinovarus (CTEV, clubfoot) deformity, we identified 77 feet having been treated in 50 patients. Forty-nine feet were treated primarily in Oswestry, a tertiary referral centre for paediatric orthopaedic conditions, and 13 feet were treated in conjunction with the physiotherapy department at one of the region''s district general hospitals (Leighton Hospital, Crewe, Cheshire).

RESULTS

Similar good results and low requirement for surgical interventions other than Achilles tenotomy, which forms part of the Ponseti regimen, were found in both cohorts.

CONCLUSIONS

This ‘hub-and-spoke’ approach would appear to be efficient in terms of resource utilisation. Additional benefits atients and their carers include ease of access to services and reduced financial and transport burdens.     

An Unusual Aberrant Muscle in Congenital Clubfoot: An Intraoperative Finding

Congenital clubfoot is a common congenital deformity, characterized by equinus of the hindfoot and adduction of the midfoot and forefoot, with varus through the subtalar joint complex. A cavus deformity will also be present. The etiology of this congenital deformity remains elusive. Muscle anomalies are not commonly found in patients with idiopathic clubfoot, and, when present, their significance is not clear. The presence of a flexor digitorum accessorius longus muscle and an accessory soleus muscle found at surgical correction of clubfoot deformity has been previously reported. Our case was a female child, aged 2 years, 3 months, who developed bilateral relapsed congenital clubfoot. She was found to have an unusual aberrant muscle in both legs. This was discovered accidentally during surgical correction of her deformity through posteromedial soft tissue release. This muscle might have contributed to the hindfoot varus and equinus in the clubfoot deformity, because the latter were completely corrected after release of the muscle from its insertion. Awareness of such a new anatomic variant, with the other anatomic variants found in clubfoot deformity, will not only improve our understanding of normal lower limb development, but could also lead to improved genetic counseling and diagnostic and treatment methods of such a common congenital deformity.     

Comparison of cast materials for the treatment of congenital idiopathic clubfoot using the Ponseti method: a prospective randomized controlled trial

Background

The Ponseti method of congenital idiopathic clubfoot correction has traditionally specified plaster of Paris (POP) as the cast material of choice; however, there are negative aspects to using POP. We sought to determine the influence of cast material (POP v. semirigid fibreglass [SRF]) on clubfoot correction using the Ponseti method.

Methods

Patients were randomized to POP or SRF before undergoing the Ponseti method. The primary outcome measure was the number of casts required for clubfoot correction. Secondary outcome measures included the number of casts by severity, ease of cast removal, need for Achilles tenotomy, brace compliance, deformity relapse, need for repeat casting and need for ancillary surgical procedures.

Results

We enrolled 30 patients: 12 randomized to POP and 18 to SRF. There was no difference in the number of casts required for clubfoot correction between the groups (p = 0.13). According to parents, removal of POP was more difficult (p < 0.001), more time consuming (p < 0.001) and required more than 1 method (p < 0.001). At a final follow-up of 30.8 months, the mean times to deformity relapse requiring repeat casting, surgery or both were 18.7 and 16.4 months for the SRF and POP groups, respectively.

Conclusion

There was no significant difference in the number of casts required for correction of clubfoot between the 2 materials, but SRF resulted in a more favourable parental experience, which cannot be ignored as it may have a positive impact on psychological well-being despite the increased cost associated.     

Surgical management of ankle and foot deformities in cerebral palsy

A system of surgical treatment of deformities of the ankle and foot in cerebral palsy is presented on the basis of experience with 420 children. The aim of surgery is prevention or correction of deformities. There are three types of deformity (fixed, dynamic, and mixed), each of which is treated differently. Surgery should be delayed as long as there is functional improvement. The most common indication for foot surgery is equinus deformity, which makes it difficult to keep the heel in the shoe. Tendo Achillis lengthening is satisfactory for fixed equinus, and transfer of the medial belly and the tendon of the gastrocnemius to the dorsum of the foot is appropriate for dynamic equinus. Hindfoot valgus in hypertonic cerebral palsy is treated by peroneus brevis elongation when moderate and in combination with subtalar arthrodesis when severe. Hindfoot valgus in hypotonic cerebral palsy is treated by subtalar arthrodesis only. Hindfoot varus is treated by tibialis posterior lengthening, usually in combination with (1) tendo Achillis lengthening, (2) a Steindler plantar release, or (3) valgus calcaneal osteotomy. Dynamic forefoot supination is treated by split-tibialis anterior tendon transfer or, when associated with dorsiflexion of the hallux, by extensor hallucis longus transfer.     

Accelerated Ponseti method: First experiences in a more convenient technique for patients with severe idiopathic club feet

BackgroundCongenital Idiopathic Talipes Equinovarus (CTEV), or clubfoot, is a complex deformity that involves pathological anatomy in the foot with ankle equinus, hindfoot varus, midfoot cavus and forefoot adductus [1]. Universal agreement is established about Ponseti technique as the initial management for this deformity. This preliminary study aims to investigate the possibility of having a braceable foot through a proposed accelerated Ponseti method by which, manipulations, 5 castings and Achilles tendon tenotomy are implemented in a week.MethodsThis study included 11 patients with 16severe congenital idiopathic clubfeet treated by an accelerated Ponseti method. The method involves manipulation of the deformed foot, and 1st casting in one day, with the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th castings in the 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th day post-manipulation. After the 4th cast removal, Achilles tenotomy was performed with subsequent three-week casting for all patients. Nonparametric tests were used for comparing the Pirani scores before starting the treatment and after removal of final cast.ResultsFive patients had bilateral club foot deformity. Average age at treatment was 54.8 days (range 8–150 days). All patients, who had severe congenital idiopathic club feet with a Pirani score of 6, underwent the accelerated Ponseti technique. After removal of the three-week cast, the scores median was 0.59, (range 0–1.5), indicating a correction of the deformity and having braceable feet in all patients without experiencing any short-term complication.ConclusionsThe first step accelerated Pnoseti technique was found to be safe and effective for initial correction of severe idiopathic clubfoot deformity in children below three months of age , though it is an initial study that needs more studies with more follow up data.     

Accessory soleus muscle in clubfoot deformity: a report in four feet

The commonest presentation of accessory soleus muscle is a swelling at the posteromedial aspect of the ankle in adolescents or young adults. Accessory soleus is rarely encountered in children undergoing surgical release for congenital clubfoot, and only a few isolated reports are available in the literature. The purpose of this study is to heighten awareness about the role of accessory soleus muscle in clubfoot deformity. Four cases of accessory soleus muscle in patients undergoing surgical release for clubfoot deformity are reported here in which, a distinct anomalous muscle deep to the tendoachilles was identified. Hindfoot varus and equinus persisted in each of these cases despite an adequate posteromedial soft tissue release, which could be corrected only on tenotomizing the tendon of the accessory soleus muscle at its insertion. An awareness about the accessory soleus muscle is important, particularly when non-operative methods of clubfoot management with tendoachilles tenotomy or limited surgery are employed. Failure to recognize this muscle if present in patients with congenital clubfoot may lead to persistent hindfoot deformity. A high index of suspicion should be maintained in cases in which hindfoot deformity persists despite an otherwise adequate soft tissue correction.     

An MRI volumetric study for leg muscles in congenital clubfoot

Purpose

To investigate both volume and length of the three muscle compartments of the normal and the affected leg in unilateral congenital clubfoot.

Methods

Volumetric magnetic resonance imaging (VMRI) of the anterior, lateral and postero-medial muscular compartments of both the normal and the clubfoot leg was obtained in three groups of seven patients each, whose mean age was, respectively, 4.8 months, 11.1 months and 4.7 years. At diagnosis, all the unilateral congenital clubfeet had a Pirani score ranging from 4.5 to 5.5 points, and all of them had been treated according to a strict Ponseti protocol. All the feet had percutaneous lengthening of the Achilles tendon.

Results

A mean difference in both volume and length was found between the three muscular compartments of the leg, with the muscles of the clubfoot side being thinner and shorter than those of the normal side. The distal tendon of the tibialis anterior, peroneus longus and triceps surae (Achilles tendon) were longer than normal on the clubfoot side.

Conclusions

Our study shows that the three muscle compartments of the clubfoot leg are thinner and shorter than normal in the patients of the three groups. The difference in the musculature volume of the postero-medial compartment between the normal and the affected side increased nine-fold from age group 2 to 3, while the difference in length increased by 20 %, thus, showing that the muscles of the postero-medial compartment tend to grow in both thickness and length much less than the muscles of the other leg compartments.     

Progression of idiopathic clubfoot correction using the Ponseti method

The Ponseti technique involves sequential clubfoot correction by abduction, supination, and finally dorsiflexion. Although shown to be effective, correction progression has not been examined. The Dimeglio/Bensahel classification system was used to analyze heel equinus, varus, midfoot rotation, adduction, posterior crease, medial crease, and cavus initially and after each casting. From 2000 to 2008, 123 patients (185 feet) with idiopathic clubfeet, aged below 60 days, without prior treatment were grouped by number of casts required. Successive castings achieved goals of reducing cavus and medial crease first, then gradually correcting midfoot rotation, adduction, and heel varus. Unexpectedly, heel equinus improved simultaneously with midfoot variables, as well as with final casting.     

Good results with the Ponseti method: a multicenter study of 162 clubfeet followed for 2-5 years

Background and purpose

In 2002–2003, several hospitals in Norway introduced the Ponseti method for treating clubfoot. The present multicenter study was conducted to evaluate the initial results of this method, and to compare them to the good results reported in the literature.

Patients and methods

116 children with 162 congenital idiopathic clubfeet who were born between 2004 and 2006 were treated with the Ponseti method at 8 hospitals in Norway. All children were prospectively registered at birth, and 116 feet were assessed according to Pirani before treatment was started. 63% used a standard bilateral foot abduction brace, and 32% used a unilateral above-the-knee brace. One of the authors examined all feet at a mean age of 4 years. At follow-up, all feet were assessed by Pirani’s scoring system, and range of motion of the foot and ankle was measured.

Results

At follow-up, 77% of the feet had a Pirani score of 0.5 or better, good dorsiflexion and external rotation, and no forefoot adduction. An Achilles tenotomy had been performed in 79% of the feet. Compliance to any brace was good; only 7% were defined as non-compliant. Extensive soft tissue release had been performed in 3% of the feet.We found no statistically significant differences between the two braces, except a tendency of better Pirani score in the group using the bilateral foot abduction brace, and a tendency of better compliance in patients using the unilateral brace. Better Pirani scores were found in children who were treated at the largest hospitals.

Interpretation

After introducing the Ponseti method in Norway, the clinical outcome was good and in accordance with the reports from single centers. Only 5 feet needed extensive surgery during the first 4 years of life.The methods of treating clubfoot have varied over the years and between the different hospitals in Norway. The results reported have not been satisfactory, as 75% of the feet needed posterior or postero-medial release (Nesse et al. 1996). Thus, orthopedic surgeons treating clubfoot in Norway decided to start with the Ponseti method, which has shown promising short-term and long-term results (Laaveg and Ponseti 1980, Cooper and Dietz 1995, Herzenberg et al. 2002). The Ponseti method of treating clubfoot was introduced at several hospitals in Norway in 2002 and 2003.A foot abduction brace is a crucial part of the Ponseti treatment, and it is well documented that the brace prevents a clubfoot from relapsing (Dobbs et al. 2004, Morcuende et al. 2004). The brace recommended by Ponseti is a bilateral foot abduction brace. Many hospitals in Norway have traditionally used a custom-made unilateral above-the-knee dynamic brace to prevent relapse. Some of these hospitals continued to offer this brace to children with clubfoot, even after the introduction of the Ponseti casting method.Norway is a small country regarding population (4.9 million inhabitants), but it has a relatively large area and none of the hospitals were responsible for treating more than 10 newborns with clubfoot every year in this study.We evaluated our results and compared them to the good short-term and long-term results reported in the literature. We also compared the unilateral above-the-knee brace with the standard bilateral foot abduction brace regarding both clinical outcome and compliance to brace use. Finally, we determined whether the results were influenced by the number of clubfeet treated at each hospital.     

The effectiveness of the Ponseti method for treating clubfoot associated with arthrogryposis: up to 8 years follow-up

Purpose

To evaluate the effectiveness of the Ponseti method in treating clubfoot associated with arthrogryposis.

Methods

Retrospective consecutive review over a 10-year period in a tertiary centre of all patients with arthrogrypotic clubfoot treated with the Ponseti method. The primary outcome measure at final follow-up was the functional correction of the deformity.

Results

There were ten children with 17 arthrogrypotic clubfeet, with an average follow-up of 5.8 years (range 3–8 years). The average age at presentation was 5 weeks (range 2–20 weeks). Deformities were severe, with an average Pirani score of 5.5 (range 3–6). Initial correction was achieved in all children with an average of 8 (range 4–10) Ponseti casts and a tendo-Achilles tenotomy (TAT) was performed in 94.1 %. Two-thirds of patients had a satisfactory outcome at final follow-up, with functional plantigrade, pain-free feet.

Conclusions

The Ponseti method is an effective first-line treatment for arthrogrypotic clubfeet to achieve functional plantigrade feet. Children will often require more casts and have a higher risk of relapse.