Histological abnormalities of the calcaneum in congenital talipes equinovarus

Six calcaneal fragments from patients aged 2, 3, 4, and 5 years with relapsed talipes, and two normal feet from a 40-week-old stillborn fetus were studied. All tissue was sectioned in the sagittal or coronal plane and stained using alcian blue and sirius red to distinguish cartilage and bone. Immunocytochemistry was performed to illustrate collagen types I and II. Within the clubfoot calcaneum, there were fewer chondrocytes and a diminished number of cartilage canals. Although a growth plate was present, the zones of differentiated chondrocytes were not apparent and the chondrocytes were smaller and flatter. The alcian blue staining within the spherical physis was paler than normal, suggesting that the amount of extracellular proteoglycans was reduced. Overall, the growth plate region of the talipes calcaneum resembled that of a permanent cartilage, like articular cartilage. Abnormalities were also seen in the ossification center. Cartilage spicules were rare, and developing bone frequently abutted directly onto the growth plate cartilage. The relative absence of a primary spongiosa suggested that the physis was virtually inactive and endochondral bone formation was retarded. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that an intrinsic primary growth disorder causes the formation of a small hypoplastic bone and, subsequently, a smaller foot. Received: February 21, 2001 / Accepted: June 12, 2001     

The management of congenital talipes equinovarus in developing countries

Summary Congenital Talipes Equinovarus often remains untreated in developing countries. At our Institute in Calcutta, where we have modern facilities, a programme was undertaken using simple techniques in selected cases. Since 1964, 5,312 cases of congenital talipes equinovarus were treated by percutaneous elongation of the Achilles tendon, plantar fasciotomy and corrective plasters. In 4,502 cases the results are good enough to recommend this technique, even in developed countries.

---

Résumé Le pied bot varus équin congénital est souvent négligé dans les pays en voie de développement. Dans notre Institut de Calcutta, où nous disposons d'un équipement moderne, nous avons entrepris un programme utilisant des techniques simples, adressées à des cas sélectionnés. Depuis 1964, 5312 pieds bots ont été traités par allongement percutané du tendon d'Achille, fasciotomie plantaire et plâtres de correction. Les résultats sont suffisamment bons dans 4502 cas pour que l'on puisse recommander cette méthode, même dans les pays industrialisés.

     

Cross-cultural adaptation,validity and reliability of Turkish version of Oxford Ankle Foot Questionnaire for children with congenital talipes equinovarus

BackgroundThe purpose of the study was to evaluate the reliability and validity of the Turkish version of the Oxford Ankle Foot Questionnaire (OxAFQ) to provide cultural adaptation.MethodsThis study involved translation, back translation, and cross-cultural adaptation. Forty-nine patients with congenital talipes equinovarus were evaluated using the Turkish version of OxAFQ. Turkish version of the Childhood Health Assessment Questionnaire (CHAQ) was used as a gold standard to validate the Turkish version of the OxAFQ. The validation was assessed with Spearman correlation analysis by using CHAQ. The reliability of the questionnaire was assessed with Cronbach alpha (internal consistency) and exploratory factor analysis.ResultsHigh validity was found between OxAFQ and CHAQ (r = -0.422?0.292) (p < 0.01). Reliability analysis showed that OxAFQ had a high level of Cronbach alpha (α = 0.88?0.96) and internal consistency (ICC = 0.90?0.96).ConclusionThe Turkish version of OxAFQ is a valid, reliable and useful quality of life questionnaire in patients with congenital talipes equinovarus and it is proper for use by health professionals and researchers.     

微型三维万向外用骨支架治疗婴幼儿先天性马蹄内翻足

2005年1月-2009年1月,我科应用微型三维万向外用骨支架治疗婴幼儿先天性马蹄内翻足20例,效果良好。1材料与方法1.1病例资料本组20例（35足）,男15例,女5例,年龄7个月-3岁,其中7个月-1岁9例,1岁1个月-2岁7例,2岁1个月-3岁4例。     

Management issues of congenital talipes equinovarus in the neonatal intensive care unit: A systematic review

BackgroundThe Ponseti method is the standard of care for managing idiopathic congenital talipes equinovarus (clubfoot) in the outpatient setting, but there are no clinical guidelines for inpatient treatment. Children in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) with clubfoot often delay treatment initiation due to medical reasons.MethodsWe systematically reviewed literature related to the treatment of clubfoot in the NICU, non-idiopathic clubfoot, and older infants, as well as barriers to care.ResultsIn a mixed NICU population of syndromic and idiopathic clubfoot, the Ponseti method has good functional outcomes with minimal interference with medical management. The Ponseti method has good functional outcomes with reduced need for extensive surgical procedures in non-idiopathic clubfoot and idiopathic clubfoot with delayed presentation (under one year of age).ConclusionsIt is possible to begin Ponseti treatment in the NICU without compromising medical management. It is not clear if this confers an advantage over waiting for outpatient casting.     

改进的胫后肌前移术治疗垂足畸形(附17例报告)

目的 研究关于提高麻痹性马蹄内翻足畸形疗效的新术式。方法 从1989年至现在,由作者设计的新术式治疗17例麻痹性马蹄足内翻畸形。该术式是将前移的胫骨后肌腱缝合到腓骨长肌腱的远端。结果 在全部病例中随访12个月～10年,这新术式的疗效是满意的。原有足畸形基本上被矫正。足背屈肌在抗重力达到Ⅲ～Ⅳ级。结论 本术式操作简单、易于掌握,是治疗麻痹性马蹄内翻足畸形的一种新方法。     

Ilizarov技术矫正儿童僵硬型马蹄内翻足畸形

[目的]探讨Ilizarov技术矫正僵硬性马蹄内翻足畸形的方法和效果。[方法]作者在2000年3月～2005年3月间，使用Ilizarov技术矫正9例11足重度僵硬性马蹄内翻足畸形，将连接于胫骨、跟骨、跖骨的外固定环互相连接、组合成复杂的三维外固定架，通过逐渐调整外固定架矫正畸形，从而使患足达到或接近正常足的外形和功能。[结果]按Garceau标准评定疗效，优6足，良4足，差1足。[结论]Ilizarov外固定架三维矫正马蹄内翻足畸形效果确实，尤其适用于大年龄儿童之僵硬、复发或难治性马蹄内翻足，有一定的临床应用价值。     

The classification of congenital talipes equinovarus

e have assessed the reliability of four classification systems for club foot. Four observers evaluated nine children (18 feet) at different stages in the first six months of life, a total of 180 examinations. Each observer independently assessed all feet according to the classification systems described by Catterall, Diméglio et al, Harrold and Walker, and Ponseti and Smoley. The variation between observers was assessed using the kappa test which for no more agreement than chance has a value of 0, and for complete agreement between observers a value of 1. The kappa values varied between 0.14 and 0.77 depending on which classification system was used. The system of Diméglio et al was found to have the greatest reliability. Our findings suggest that current classification systems for the analysis of congenital talipes equinovarus are not entirely satisfactory.     

改良Ilizarov技术结合有限手术矫正马蹄内翻足畸形

[目的]探讨Ilizarov技术矫正马蹄内翻足畸形的手术方法及器械改良、术后管理方法的改进及疗效。[方法]2003年1月～2006年5月，根据Ilizarov张力应力法则，应用秦泗河改良的外固定矫形器，遵循Ilizarov穿针固定的基本原则，共手术治疗马蹄内翻足32例，男15例，女17例；年龄10～25岁，平均17岁。病因：腓总神经损伤2例，腰椎管内肿瘤1例，硬脊膜膨出5例，小儿麻痹后遗症11例，先天性马蹄内翻足13例。术前用足掌的前外缘负重行走者11例，用足的外缘或足背外侧负重者21例。根据马蹄内翻足畸形程度、性质和患者年龄，确定实施有限矫形手术的方法和外固定矫形器治疗。本组7例同期实施有限的软组织松解术，25例同期实施了有限的截骨术和跗骨间关节融合术，9例合并踝关节内外翻肌力明显失衡者，同期行足部肌腱转移的肌力平衡术。然后安装外固定矫形器。术后按作者制定的管理程序，7d开始旋转相应的螺纹牵拉杆，对器械进行三维空间的缓慢调整，先矫正前足内收和后足内翻，后矫正足下垂畸形，直至达到矫形要求的标准。在矫形的过程中定期进行X线检测，以防止发生踝关节前后移位，治疗期间允许患足负重行走。术后平均牵伸42d，拆外固定器后患足再上石膏固定适当时间。[结论]32例患者术后均获得随访，其中26例为来院复查。随访时间1年～3年1个月，平均1年5个月。畸形均获满意矫正，足持重行走功能良好，患者满意。本组无1例发生严重针道感染和切口感染，未并发踝关节脱位及血管、神经损伤等并发症。[结论]改良Ilizarov技术矫正马蹄内翻足畸形，手术创伤小、安全，治疗效果提高，配合有限矫形手术，能够矫正传统矫形手术难以治疗的严重足畸形，缩短治疗周期，避免了严重手术并发症。     

改良Charnley关节夹在马蹄内外翻足截骨融合术中的应用

目的 观察改良Ｃｈａｒｎｌｅｙ关节夹在马蹄内外翻足截骨融合术中的应用效果。方法 采用改良Ｃｈａｒｎｌｅｙ关节夹固定足跗二关节，三关节截骨融合术治疗４５例５２足。结果 随访３９例４３足，随访时间１１个月￣７年３个月。平均３年５个月，４３足全部骨性融合，４２足外观基本正常，恢复三点负重，步态平稳。优良率９５％，结论 该方法操作简单，观察方便，效果满意。     

先天性马蹄内翻足以胫后肌外移为主的手术治疗长期随访结果

先天性马蹄内翻足是足部常见畸形,病因不明,但有学者认为肌发育不良而引起的肌力不平衡是本病的主要原因[1～4].导致肌力失衡的软组织挛缩包括胫后肌腱、跟腱、足的内在肌、内侧跗跖关节囊、胫前肌,三角韧带及跟舟韧带等,其中胫后肌腱是造成马蹄内翻足的主要因素之一.自1988年12月以来,共手术治疗先天性马蹄内翻足病人41例60足,均采用胫后肌外移为主的矫正手术,取得了良好的效果.     

New experiences in treating postburn talipes equinovarus associated with bone and joint pathologic changes

This article aims to solve the problem of postburn talipes equinovarus associated with bone and joint pathologic changes by simplified and modified techniques. In addition to lengthening the shortened Achilles tendon and the contracted scar above it, we performed triple arthrodesis directly on the densely scarred, deformed foot without replacing the scar tissue with normal tissue tube or flap. Only the proximal scar-periosteum wound edge of the curved incision, 2 cm distal to the conventional one, was elevated to expose the bones to be excised. The two excised wedge-shaped bone blocks, one on the dorsum and the other on the lateral side of the deformed foot, were composed of a larger part of the talus and lesser parts of the navicular, cuboid and calcaneus bones. All the patients who could not stand or walk without crutches pre-operatively obtained a good operative result, which enabled them to do so without crutches postoperatively. We conclude that the scar tissue can be elevated without risk of necrosis if it is still attached firmly to the underlying periosteum, and arthrodesis can be done under it. Incision wound healing and bone union is not exclusively a problem.     

泰勒空间外架技术结合足部“U”形截骨治疗创伤后马蹄内翻足畸形

目的 探讨泰勒空间外架（Taylor spatial frame,TSF）技术结合足部“U”形截骨治疗创伤后马蹄内翻足的临床疗效。方法 回顾性分析2016年7月至2019年7月应急总医院收治的42例创伤后马蹄内翻足病人的临床资料,其中男31例,女11例,平均年龄为24.3岁。马蹄足畸形平均跖屈70°。术前测量畸形参数。术中依据Ilizarov穿针原则安装TSF,足部“U”形截骨同期行微创软组织松解术。术后根据处方调整TSF,行康复训练。截骨处愈合后去除外固定架,佩戴支具。定期门诊复查,记录疼痛视觉模拟量表（visual analogue scale, VAS）评分及美国足踝外科医师协会（American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society,AOFAS）踝与后足功能评分。结果 本组平均手术时间为85.6 min（60~110 min）,术中平均出血量为15.5 mL（10~20 mL）。42例病人均获随访,平均随访时间为18个月（12~24个月）。术后平均40.7 d（26~80 d）踝关节恢复背伸5°~10°;佩戴外支架行走时间平均为12.7周（10~16周）。5例病人6处针道轻度感染。1例发生近端半针断裂。所有病人无血管、神经损伤。3例患足复发跖屈畸形,约10°。随访结束时所有病人均可达到不扶拐步行状态。末次复诊时AOFAS评分,优18例,良18例,可4例,差2例,优良率为85.7%;AOFAS评分为（89.4±8.0）分,较术前（52.7±1.0）分显著增加,差异有统计学意义（t=-6.085,P=0.010）。VAS评分为（2.8±1.3）分,较术前的（6.7±1.4）分明显降低,差异有统计学意义（t=0.464,P=0.025）。结论 TSF结合足部“U”形截骨是治疗创伤后马蹄内翻足畸形的有效方法。     

组织牵伸与有限截骨矫治成年人下肢外伤后严重马蹄内翻足畸形

目的探讨组织牵伸结合有限截骨矫治成年人下肢外伤后严重马蹄内翻足畸形的临床问题。方法 2004年6月至2009年2月共治疗17例成人足外伤后严重的马蹄内翻足畸形。Dimeglio分型：Ⅲ型,严重畸形13足;Ⅳ型,畸形非常严重4足。牵伸矫形器由胫骨外固定器和特殊形状的足部外固定器构成,在畸形状态能适应牵伸器顺利安装情况下,仅选择距下关节融合。如果畸形超出牵伸支架的可调空间,选择有限截骨三关节融合术,部分矫正足的内翻、内收畸形,至能顺利安装牵伸支架,残留的畸形通过牵伸逐渐矫正。结果治疗结束时所有病例的马蹄内翻足畸形均得到完全矫正。14例随访半年至3年,平均11个月;5足轻度复发,马蹄畸形均未大于20°,仍能跖行;踝关节活动度部分有一定改善。根据国际马蹄足畸形研究学组（ICFSG）的评分系统：优3足,良9足,可2足,差0足。结论组织牵伸结合有限截骨矫治成年人下肢外伤后严重马蹄内翻足畸形,便于外固定器的安装,更好地预防畸形复发、减少牵伸的时间,发挥Ilizarov技术的优势。     

The impact of the Ponseti treatment method on parents and caregivers of children with clubfoot: a comparison of two urban populations in Europe and Africa

Purpose

With the Ponseti treatment method established as the gold standard, children with clubfeet face a prolonged treatment regime that might impact on their families. We aimed to determine how Ponseti treatment influences the lives of parents and caregivers and what coping strategies they use. Secondarily, we aimed to identify any potential differences between two urban referral centres for clubfoot.

Methods

A total of 115 parents of children affected with idiopathic clubfoot were recruited and included in two groups: one from the United Kingdom (UK) and the other from South Africa (SA). The participants completed the following three instruments: the Impact on Family Scale (IOFS), the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), and the Brief COPE.

Results

During the bracing phase, the IOFS showed a trend towards lower scores when compared to the casting phase for both cohorts (p = 0.247 and p = 0.434, respectively). The SA population scored higher than the UK in the MSPSS in both casting (p = 0.002) and bracing phases (p = 0.004) and used coping strategies at a significantly higher level when compared to the UK population (p < 0.05) in both treatment phases.

Conclusion

This is the first study to show that Ponseti treatment for clubfoot causes an impact on family function. In SA, perceived social support is higher and coping strategies are used more often than in the UK to deal with the stressful circumstances of treatment.

     

Multidisciplinary management of clubfeet using the Ponseti method in a district general hospital setting

Purpose  Idiopathic congenital talipes equinovarus (CTEV) is a relatively common complex deformity of the foot that can be successfully managed by the Ponseti method. The purpose of this study was to see if the latter can be effectively administered by non-medical specialists outside a specialist or teaching hospital setting. Method  Retrospective review of 24 children (39 feet) with idiopathic congenital talipes equinovarus managed by a physiotherapist-led service in a district general hospital. Results  The median Pirani score at presentation was 4.5 (mean 4.2, range 1.5–6). The median Pirani score for feet requiring tenotomy was 6 (4.5–6), whereas feet not requiring tenotomy had a median Pirani score of 2.5 (1.5–5). A total of 18 feet (46%) underwent an Achilles tenotomy. Foot correction was achieved with an average of 3.4 (2–6) cast changes in the non-tenotomy group, and an average of 7.5 (5–13) in the tenotomy group. Successful initial correction of the deformity was achieved in 37 (95%) of the feet studied. One patient (2 feet, 5%) failed local conservative management, requiring tertiary referral. Two children (2 feet) have relapsed, requiring further serial casting. No children required open surgical release. Follow-up was for a mean of 31 months (17–50). Conclusions  Early results suggest that a combined consultant/physiotherapist-delivered Ponseti service can be effectively and successfully administered in a district general hospital.     

The results of pantalar reduction in the management of congenital talipes equinovarus

One hundred and twenty-five patients with 194 feet affected by congenital talipes equinovarus were treated by the senior author during the period 1959 to 1980. Of these, 70 patients presented either at birth or in the early neonatal period, and 55 were seen later, having been referred from other centres. Seventy-five patients were subsequently reviewed by two of us; the remaining 50 were assessed from records and research files. Patients seen within four weeks of birth were termed "early", the remainder "late". Of the early group of 70 patients, 44 (with 68 affected feet) were reviewed and 26 (with 41 affected feet) were assessed from records. Excellent or good results were achieved in 94 per cent of feet treated conservatively and in 82 per cent of feet which required pantalar release. Of the 55 late referrals 32 patients (with 55 affected feet) were reviewed and 23 (with 30 affected feet) were assessed from records. Satisfactory results were slightly less frequent, but were achieved in 75 per cent of cases. There was no statistical correlation between early soft-tissue release and a good final outcome, but there was a positive statistical correlation between good clinical results and a high talocalcaneal index. Osseous correction (a laterally based wedge tarsectomy or a triple arthrodesis) was necessary at a later date in four feet (four per cent) of those who presented early and in 13 feet (15 per cent) of late referrals.     

Preoperative equinus angle and prognosis in congenital talipes equinovarus: a preliminary report

This study examines the hypothesis that the preoperative, clinically determined, equinus angle of congenital talipes equinovarus correlates with the surgical outcome. Data were obtained on 30 feet from 20 patients. All the patients had failed to respond to conservative measures of serial strapping and/or casting, and underwent radical primary subtalar release. Postoperatively, the Magone, Turco and McKay score systems were used for evaluation with 2 years minimum follow-up (range, 24-60 months; average, 42 months). There was a negative mathematical correlation between the equinus angle and the three system scores (Magone, Turco and McKay). In the three systems, the Pearson correlation with the equinus angle was negative and statistically highly significant: Magone, r = -0.629, P < 0.001; Turco, r = -0.651, P < 0.001; McKay, r = -0.717, P < 0.001. The correlation coefficients between the scoring systems were highly significant demonstrating a very close relationship between the systems. Excellent category outcomes were associated with smaller equinus angles.