Incidence of hip dysplasia in idiopathic clubfoot

There is reported to be no increased risk for developmental dysplasia of the hip in children with idiopathic clubfoot. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of radiographic hip dysplasia in infants with idiopathic clubfoot. Fifty-one children with idiopathic clubfoot who underwent surgical release by a single surgeon had anterior-posterior pelvis radiographs obtained at 4 or more months of age to screen for developmental dysplasia of the hip. The acetabular index measured more than 28 degrees in eight children (16%). This study suggests an association between idiopathic clubfoot and developmental dysplasia of the hip.     

Principles of choice of primary operative techniques for congenital clubfoot]

Review article. A definition of the congenital clubfoot as the rotational and torsional disorder in the sagittal, coronal and horizontal plane was described. The method of choice of the operative technique on the basis of clinical and radiographic parameters was presented. It was found that the primary technique used for surgical clubfoot correction is chosen from a set of different procedures, ranging from posterior release to complete subtalar release. The technique can be extended and modified during surgery.     

Long-term follow-up of patients with clubfeet treated with extensive soft-tissue release

BACKGROUND: Although long-term follow-up studies have shown favorable results, in terms of foot function, after treatment of idiopathic clubfoot with serial manipulations and casts, we know of no long-term follow-up studies of patients in whom clubfoot was treated with an extensive surgical soft-tissue release. METHODS: Forty-five patients (seventy-three feet) in whom idiopathic clubfoot was treated with either a posterior release and plantar fasciotomy (eight patients) or an extensive combined posterior, medial, and lateral release (thirty-seven patients) were followed for a mean of thirty years. Patients were evaluated with detailed examination of the lower extremities, a radiographic evaluation that included grading of osteoarthritis, and three independent quality-of-life questionnaires, including the Short Form-36 Medical Outcomes Study. RESULTS: At the time of follow-up, the majority of patients in both treatment groups had significant limitation of foot function, which was consistent across the three independent quality-of-life questionnaires. No significant difference between groups was noted with regard to the results of the quality-of-life measures, the range of motion of the ankle or the position of the heel, or the radiographic findings. Six patients who had been treated with only one surgical procedure had better ranges of motion of the ankle and subtalar joints (p < 0.004) than those who had had multiple surgical procedures. CONCLUSIONS: Many patients with clubfoot treated with an extensive soft-tissue release have poor long-term foot function. We found a correlation between the extent of the soft-tissue release and the degree of functional impairment. Repeated soft-tissue releases can result in a stiff, painful, and arthritic foot and significantly impaired quality of life.     

Posteroplantar release for congenital clubfoot in children younger than 1 year

One hundred thirty-three resistant congenital clubfeet in 93 patients between 3 and 10 months of age were operated on using a standardized posteroplantar release. Clinical and radiographic assessments were done with a mean followup of 7 years 4 months (range, 3-12 years). Using the McKay score, 79.7% of the surgically treated clubfeet were classified as having a good or excellent result. Three patients had relapse of their clubfoot that required additional surgery. Seventeen feet in 15 patients had residual forefoot adduction at the time of followup. The radiographs showed that the early posteroplantar release led to sufficient hindfoot correction in all but the three patients who had relapse of the clubfoot. With this standardized surgical treatment, satisfactory results can be achieved in most patients younger than 1 year with congenital clubfoot. However, in patients with persistent talonavicular subluxation after conservative treatment, an additional talonavicular release combined with the posteroplantar release is recommended.     

Revision surgery in clubfeet.

The reoperated clubfeet of 29 children aged one to 12 years were reviewed. The surgical procedure most often used in revision surgery was recomplete soft-tissue release alone or combined with plantar release, calcaneocuboid fusion, and capsulotomies of the navicular-first cuneiform-first metatarsal joint. In 27 of 29 feet, acceptable results were achieved. Nineteen were excellent and good results. An algorithm that suggests surgical solutions to a variety of clubfoot deformities in different age groups has been developed, as well as an objective rating system, to evaluate the long-term results of revision surgery of clubfeet.     

Relapsed clubfoot correction with soft-tissue release and selective application of Ilizarov technique

The Ilizarov technique is an alternative for the treatment of complex foot deformities in children. The authors retrospectively reviewed children with relapsed clubfoot deformity, treated with soft tissue procedures and additional correction with an Ilizarov frame. Twelve consecutive patients (13 feet) with relapsed clubfoot deformity after previous surgical correction were reviewed. Treatment included open releases. An Ilizarov frame was applied as an adjunct in seven patients (mean age of 7.8 years) with severe deformity where complete intraoperative correction was not achieved. Clinical and radiographic assessment was undertaken. The mean Laaveg–Ponseti score, for the 7 feet treated with the Ilizarov frame, was 85.1 after minimum 4 years follow-up. One recurrence of forefoot deformity required metatarsal osteotomies. Postoperative radiographic measurements revealed values that can be considered as normal. Complications included pin tract infections (12% of inserted wires). Flat-topped talus was observed in 3 feet. Deformity correction was possible when soft tissue procedures were combined with the use of Ilizarov technique, in order to support and gradually improve surgical correction.     

Analytical radiography and the progressive approach in talipes equinovarus

1. A radiographic method is described for making the diagnosis of talonavicular subluxation before ossification of the navicular occurs. 2. Seven basic deformity combinations are thought to occur in clubfoot. 3. Preoperative analytical radiography enables the surgeon to determine which of these combinations exists in a particular foot. 4. The progressive approach, a comprehensive sequential plan of corrective surgery, indicates the appropriate treatment for each of the seven deformity combinations that may exist in a clubfoot following initial conservative treatment. 5. At the time of surgery the surgeon uses analytical radiography during the operation to determine whether the surgery has been successful or whether the next stage of the progressive approach will be required to correct the deformity combination.     

Correlation of foot radiographs with foot function as analyzed by plantar pressure distribution

The goal of this study was to correlate radiographic measurements to the dynamic plantar pressure of the residual clubfoot. This was done by comparing radiographs and EMED plantar pressure results in 61 idiopathic clubfeet in 39 children at an average of 8 years after complete subtalar release. Radiographic measures were obtained using the standard method outlined by Simons, and pressure data were collected for eight regions of the foot. Pearson correlation analysis was performed and the most significant correlation was found between the calcaneal/first metatarsal angle in the lateral radiographic view (r = 0.72) and the midfoot contact area. In the anteroposterior view there was mild correlation between the talus/first metatarsal angle and both the peak pressure and plantar contact area. The results of this study indicate that radiographs used in concert with dynamic plantar pressure analysis will provide a more complete assessment of the corrected clubfoot.     

Use of the Ponseti method for recurrent clubfoot following posteromedial release

Background:

A child with recurrent or incompletely corrected clubfoot after previous extensive soft tissue release is treated frequently with revision surgery. This leads to further scarring, pain and limitations in range of motion. We have utilized the Ponseti method of manipulation and casting and when indicated, tibialis anterior tendon transfer, instead of revision surgery for these cases.

Materials and Methods:

A retrospective review of all children treated since 2002 (n = 11) at our institution for recurrent or incompletely corrected clubfoot after previous extensive soft tissue release was done. Clinical and operative records were reviewed to determine procedure performed. Ponseti manipulation and casting were done until the clubfoot deformity was passively corrected. Based on the residual equinus and dynamic deformity, heel cord lengthening or tenotomy and tibialis anterior transfer were then done. Clinical outcomes regarding pain, function and activity were reviewed.

Results:

Eleven children (17 feet) with ages ranging from 1.1 to 8.4 years were treated with this protocol. All were correctable with the Ponseti method with one to eight casts. Casts were applied until the only deformities remaining were either or both hindfoot equinus and dynamic supination. Nine feet required a heel cord procedure for equinus and 15 required tibialis anterior transfer for dynamic supination. Seven children have follow-up greater than one year (average 27.1 months) and have had excellent results. Two patients had persistent hindfoot valgus which required hemiepiphyseodesis of the distal medial tibia.

Conclusion:

The Ponseti method, followed by tibialis anterior transfer and/or heel cord procedure when indicated, can be successfully used to correct recurrent clubfoot deformity in children treated with previous extensive soft tissue release. Early follow-up has shown correction without revision surgery. This treatment protocol prevents complications of stiffness, pain and difficulty in ambulating associated with multiple soft tissue releases for clubfeet.     

Peritalar release in the treatment of congenital talipes equinovarus clubfoot

It is the purpose of this retrospective study to evaluate the results of the surgical treatment of congenital talipes equinovarus clubfoot. Seven patients affected with congenital talipes equinovarus clubfoot, 2 of which bilateral, treated surgically using peritalar release according to Simons were re-examined. The long-term follow-up results obtained after an average of 4 years were evaluated from clinical, morphofunctional, and radiographic points of view, and with the help of a photopodogram and computed baropodometry. The subjective satisfaction of the patients was also evaluated. Results were considered to be good in all of the cases. In conclusion, surgery involving peritalar release allows for correction of abduction of the forefoot, and restores physiological calcaneal valgus, re-balancing standing on the plantar surface; the persistence of an area of hypostanding in the forefoot operated on and of mild, residual cavus of the plantar arch do not, thus, seem to influence the good results obtained.     

Clinico-radiological assessment and their correlation in clubfeet treated with postero-medial soft-tissue release

The controversy regarding the radiographic parameter which best represents the various deformities of clubfoot continues. The aim of our study was to clear up this controversy. Fifty surgically treated (soft-tissue release) congenital clubfeet were studied clinically using Laaveg and Ponseti score and radiologically using twelve different radiographic parameters in weight-bearing AP and lateral views. The talo-calcaneal angle (TCA) in AP and lateral view showed statistically significant correlation with the functional rating, but significant variation in the dimension of the angles among the different functional groups was found with AP angle only. The talo-first metatarsal angle in AP and lateral view averaged 10 degrees and 19 degrees respectively, and showed significant correlation with the functional rating. The talo-navicular subluxation in AP, the calcaneo-fifth metatarsal angle and the first-fifth metatarsal angle in lateral view did not show any significant correlation with function. Talo-calcaneal index averaged 44 degrees in the clubfeet and showed significant correlation. The wide range of parameters representing each of the deformities gives a better radiological assessment of the clubfoot than any single parameter.     

Percutaneous fixation in clubfoot surgery: a radiographic and gait study

Twenty patients with Type II clubfeet were evaluated an average of 3.1 years after complete surgical soft tissue release. A pinned group had fixation of the talonavicular and calcaneocuboid joints and a non-pinned group had no fixation. The control group consisted of 10 children without foot ailments. Radiographic measurements of talocalcaneal and talus-first metatarsal angles and frequencies of dorsal and medial navicular subluxation were not different for the two treatment groups. Foot progression angle was not significantly different for the two treatment groups, but was significantly different between all clubfoot patients (3.6 degrees of in-toeing) and the control group (5.0 degrees of out-toeing). Tourniquet time was significantly greater for the pinned than for the non-pinned group, but the duration of surgery was similar. Similar radiographic and gait measurement findings suggest that clubfoot surgery with and without percutaneous fixation have comparable outcomes.     

距下完全松解术治疗儿童先天性马蹄内翻足

目的：分析距下完全松解术治疗儿童先天性马蹄内翻足的临床疗效。方法：应用距下完全松解术治疗32例的儿童44只先天性马蹄内翻足。其中男15例19足，女17例25足。单侧发病者20例，双侧发病者12例(男4例，女8例)。术时平均年龄13个月(年龄范围8-18个月)，平均足长度为11．5cm(长度范围8．5-13cm)。平均随访时间为19个月，最短11个月，最长3年。用Gavceau评定标准来评定疗效。结果：本组无一例伤口感染，未出现过度矫正，无距骨坏死，足畸形矫正总优良率97．7％。结论：距下完全松解术对儿童先天性马蹄内翻足是一种良好的手术方法，值得临床推广使用。     

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.     

Revision Total Hip Arthroplasty With Modular Femoral Stems

As the rate of revision total hip arthroplasty (THA) rises, attention must be paid to potential complications relating to bone loss, soft tissue deficiencies, and loss of tissue planes. Using modular femoral stems in revision surgery allows for varying amounts of bone loss in the proximal and distal femur while letting the surgeon adjust rotation, leg length, and offset. We retrospectively reviewed 125 patients that underwent revision THA with a modular femoral component system and had minimum 2 year follow-up. Ten patients required reoperations for infection, recurrent dislocation, or fracture treatment. There was no evidence of radiographic loosening or mechanical failure in the remaining patients. Modular femoral components provide excellent intraoperative flexibility and significant radiographic and clinical benefits as seen in this patient cohort.     

Onset of developmental dysplasia of the hip during clubfoot treatment: report of two cases and review of patients with both deformities followed at a single institution

Developmental dysplasia of the hip and idiopathic clubfoot are common musculoskeletal conditions in the pediatric orthopedic population. Although ultrasound or radiographic screening is generally recommended to rule out occult hip dysplasia, it has been suggested that children with clubfoot should no longer be screened. We report two cases of newborns with unilateral clubfoot and bilaterally stable hips that developed unilateral hip dysplasia on the same side as the foot deformity during clubfoot treatment. All cases previously reported in the literature are reviewed. We recommend systematic hip ultrasound screening in patients with idiopathic clubfoot. A second hip ultrasound or a pelvis radiograph, if the ossific nucleus has appeared, should be performed after completion of the clubfoot treatment if clinical examination is abnormal.     

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.     

Complications with revision of the femoral component of total hip arthroplasty. Comparison between cemented and uncemented techniques.

The intraoperative and early postoperative complications of femoral component revision surgery in a group of 94 treated with a cemented femoral implant and 91 treated with a specific (Bias, Zimmer International, Warsaw, IN) uncemented femoral implant were assessed. Follow-up of at least 2 years for both groups was obtained, averaging 4.5 years and 3.2 years, respectively. The Harris hip score was 45 and 81 before and after the cemented revision and 42 and 84 for the uncemented procedure. The overall complication rate was 41% and 34%, respectively, which is not statistically different. The major differences consist of radiographic evidence of probable loosening in 53% of the cemented population and at least 2 mm of subsidence in 45% of the uncemented group. Fracture occurred in 3% and 18%, respectively, and caused failure in one with cemented and three with uncemented revisions. The reoperation rate was 15% and 12%, respectively. In these patient populations, uncemented femoral revision was a satisfactory technique, having a complication rate comparable to and radiographic features more favorable than what was present with the cemented revision procedure. Long-term follow-up is necessary to determine more fully the role of uncemented implants for femoral component revision.     

Calcaneocuboid arthrodesis for recurrent clubfeet: what is the outcome at 17-year follow-up?

Purpose

Calcaneocuboid arthrodesis was used during revision clubfoot surgery in order to maintain midfoot correction. The purposes of this study were to determine: (1) functional level at 17-year follow-up compared to 5-year follow-up; (2) patients’ current functional level, satisfaction, and pain; and (3) current arthropometric measurements.

Methods

Twenty patients (27 clubfeet) with clubfoot relapse underwent revision soft tissue release and calcaneocuboid fusion between 1991 and 1994. They were previously evaluated at a mean follow-up of 5.5 years. Ten out of 20 patients (13 clubfeet), mean age of 24 years, were reevaluated at mean follow-up of 17.5 years. The Hospital for Joint Diseases Functional Rating System (HJD FRS) for clubfoot surgery, Outcome Evaluation in Clubfoot developed by the International Clubfoot Study Group, the Clubfoot Disease-Specific Instrument, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) Foot and Ankle Outcomes Questionnaire, Laaveg and Ponseti’s functional rating system for clubfoot and pain scale were completed by patient and/or surgeon to assess function, patient satisfaction and pain. Foot and ankle radiographs and anthropometric measurements were reviewed. For HJD FRS, scores from original follow-up were compared to current ones.

Results

The HJD FRS score of all feet was 65.9, demonstrating a significant decline from the original mean score of 77.8 (p = 0.03). Excellent/good HJD FRS scores went from 85 to 38 %. Mean AAOS Foot Ankle Outcomes Questionnaire standardized core and shoe comfort scores were 84.6 and 84.5, respectively. Average foot pain was 1.8 on a scale of 1–10. Patients were very/somewhat satisfied with status of foot in 76 % of feet and appearance of foot in 46 % of feet, based on Clubfoot Disease-Specific Instrument questions.

Conclusions

Revision clubfoot surgery with calcaneocuboid fusion in patients 5–8 years of age showed an expected decline in functional outcome measures over a 17-year follow-up period. It still produced comparable results to other studies for a similar population of difficult, revision cases, and should have a place in current surgical treatment techniques.