Stress radiography in the assessment of residual deformity of idiopathic clubfoot following serial casting (Ponseti method) in Thi Qar province

We used a combined cuboid/cuneiform osteotomy to treat residual adductus deformity in idiopathic and secondary club feet. The mean follow-up for 27 feet (22 idiopathic, four arthrogrypotic and one related to amniotic band syndrome) was 5.0 years (2.0 to 9.8). All healed uneventfully except for one early wound infection. No further surgery was required in the 22 idiopathic club feet but four of five with secondary deformity needed further surgery. At follow-up all patients with idiopathic and two with secondary club feet were free from pain and satisfied with the result. In the idiopathic feet, adductus of the forefoot, as measured by the calcaneal second metatarsal angle, improved on average from 20.7 +/- 2.0 degrees to 8.9 +/- 1.8 degrees (p < 0.05). In four feet, with a follow-up of more than six years, there was complete recurrence of the deformity. In the secondary club feet, there was no improvement of the adductus. We conclude that in most, but not all, idiopathic club feet a cuboid/cuneiform osteotomy can provide satisfactory correction of adductus deformity. Those with secondary deformity require other procedures.

We used a combined cuboid/cuneiform osteotomy to treat residual adductus deformity in idiopathic and secondary club feet. The mean follow-up for 27 feet (22 idiopathic, four arthrogrypotic and one related to amniotic band syndrome) was 5.0 years (2.0 to 9.8). All healed uneventfully except for one early wound infection. No further surgery was required in the 22 idiopathic club feet but four of five with secondary deformity needed further surgery. At follow-up all patients with idiopathic and two with secondary club feet were free from pain and satisfied with the result. In the idiopathic feet, adductus of the forefoot, as measured by the calcaneal second metatarsal angle, improved on average from 20.7 ± 2.0° to 8.9 ± 1.8° (p &lt; 0.05). In four feet, with a follow-up of more than six years, there was complete recurrence of the deformity. In the secondary club feet, there was no improvement of the adductus. We conclude that in most, but not all, idiopathic club feet a cuboid/cuneiform osteotomy can provide satisfactory correction of adductus deformity. Those with secondary deformity require other procedures.

Introduction: Congenital talipes equinovarus (CTEV) is a common pediatric musculoskeletal deformity, with a male predominance. The Ponseti method, which involves serial casting and bracing, has become the global standard because of its high success rate and reduced need for surgery. This study aimed to evaluate the long-term effectiveness of the Ponseti method in managing idiopathic clubfoot at a tertiary care centre in India.Materials and methods: This retrospective study analyzed patients with idiopathic clubfoot treated with the Ponseti method at our institute. A total of 331 patients were included, of whom 219 (66%) had bilateral involvement and 112 (34%) had unilateral clubfoot, accounting for 550 affected feet. The inclusion criteria were the absence of prior surgery and the availability of complete records. Treatment included weekly casting, Achilles tenotomy, and bracing with Denis-Browne splints. Outcomes were assessed using Pirani scores.Results: In our study, 71.29% (n = 236) were males and 28.7% (n = 95) were females. The mean age at presentation was 1.20 months. A total of 94.7% (n = 521) of the feet achieved full correction, with Pirani scores decreasing from 4.36 to 0.43 (p < 0.0001). Tenotomy was required in 77.20% (n = 425) of feet for equinus correction. The average number of casts required for correction was 5.18. Residual deformities were observed in 5.3% (n = 29) of feet. Poor compliance with the bracing protocol was the main reason for these residual deformities in our study.Conclusion: The Ponseti method remains a highly effective and reliable technique for managing idiopathic clubfoot when applied with adherence to the protocol and adequate caregiver support. Our findings not only reaffirm its global effectiveness but also highlight the importance of early treatment initiation, which reduces the number of casts required and improves outcomes compared with later interventions. The Ponseti technique markedly decreased the need for surgical correction of CTEV in our setting. Sustained bracing and follow-up are critical for preventing relapse. Future research should focus on identifying barriers to brace compliance and evaluating strategies to improve long-term outcomes.

Background:Congenital clubfoot (congenital talipes equinovarus) occurs in approximately one in 1000 live births and is one of the most common congenital birth defects. The Ponseti method is at present a well-established method of treatment for idiopathic clubfoot deformities.Aim:The aim of the present study was to evaluate the results of serial casting in clubfoot deformity with Ponseti method on the basis of Pirani's scoring and radiological findings before and after completion of treatment.Materials and Methods:A total of 30 patients were enrolled in the study and were treated with Ponseti's casting after grading the severity of deformity clinically by Pirani's scoring and radiological assessment by calculating the talo-first metatarsal angle in anteroposterior (AP) view and talocalcaneal angle in AP and lateral views. The same clinical and radiological assessment was done at the end of treatment before putting a patient on foot abduction orthosis (FAO).Results:The average number of casts applied before full correction was 5.56 (range: 5–8). The average duration of treatment was about 6.65 weeks before the patient was put on FAO. Pirani score significantly improved from an average of 5.50 (range: 4–6) on presentation to 0.24 (range: 0–2) after correction of deformity.Conclusion:The Ponseti method is an excellent method for the correction of all four deformities associated with congenital idiopathic clubfoot, and we found that the addition of radiographic to clinical evaluation helps in the better assessment of correction. It provides statistically significant results both clinically as measured by Pirani severity score and radiologically assessed by talocalcaneal and talo-first metatarsal angle.

Category: Other; Hindfoot Introduction/Purpose: Clubfoot deformity (CFD) is one of the most common congenital deformities of the foot and ankle and is characterized by different severities of foot equinus, cavus, varus, and adduction. The gold-standard treatment is the Ponseti technique, characterized by serial casting and an Achilles tenotomy. Few studies have assessed long-term outcomes of this treatment, and none have utilized three-dimensional (3D) weightbearing analysis of residual CFD. The goals of this study were to elucidate residual 3D foot deformities in CFD patients treated with the Ponseti technique and to compare them with healthy controls. We also aimed to assess how these deformities influenced patient-reported outcomes (PROs). We hypothesized that significant residual deformities would be observed in CFD patients and that these deformities would negatively impact PROs. Methods: IRB-approved, prospective, comparative, and controlled study. We recruited 37 CFD patients (57 feet) treated with the Ponseti technique that had no additional foot and ankle surgical procedures. We also included 14 healthy control volunteers (28 feet) with no history of foot/ankle injuries/deformities. All patients underwent WBCT imaging (CurveBeam, HiRise). Tarsal bones were semi-automatically segmented (Bonelogic®, Disior), and several automatic measurements assessing cavus, varus, adductus, and overall 3D deformity (Foot and Ankle Offset – FAO) were performed. Measurements were then correlated with PROs, which included Visual Analogue Scale for pain, PROMIS general health, PROMIS physical function and pain interference, pain catastrophizing scale (PCS), and European Foot and Ankle Society (EFAS) score. Paired T-tests or Paired Wilcoxon were utilized to compare measurements between CFD patients and controls, depending on normality distribution. A multivariate regression analysis assessed the relationship between residual deformities and PROs in CFD patients. P-values &lt; 0.05 were considered significant. Results: No significant overall residual 3D-deformity was found, with similar FAO measurements in CFD and controls (respectively, 2.63% and 3.2%/P=0.58). Slight cavus overcorrection was observed in CFD, with sagittal plane talus-first metatarsal angle of -0.12° versus -5.2o (p=0.04) and calcaneal inclination angle of 13.01° versus 21.5°, respectively. Varus under-correction was identified in CFD patients, with decreased sagittal and axial talocalcaneal angles (44.3o vs. 57.5o/p &lt; 0.0001 and 17.7o vs. 25.78o/p=0.0012, respectively). Similarly, adductus under-correction was observed in CFD, with talonavicular coverage angle 18.63o vs. 29.19o (p &lt; 0.0001). In the multivariate regression analysis, cavus overcorrection (sagittal talus-first metatarsal angle) was the only deformity influencing VAS (R2=0.19/P=0.02) and EFAS-Scores (R2=0.27/p=0.002). Residual varus deformity (sagittal plane talocalcaneal angle) was the only deformity influencing PROMIS Pain Interference (R2=0.14/p=0.038) and Physical Function (R2=0.32/p=0.0007). Conclusion: This study highlights the efficacy of the Ponseti technique in treating the overall 3D foot and ankle deformity in CFD patients, realigning the ankle joint and the weightbearing foot tripod. However, residual CFD components were identified, including overcorrection of the cavus and under-correction of the adductus and varus deformities. Overcorrection of the cavus negatively influenced VAS pain and EFAS scores, and under-correction of the varus negatively influenced PROMIS scores. The results of this study could potentially guide CFD treatment with the Ponseti technique, with focus on improved correction of the varus and avoidance of overcorrection of the cavus deformities.

The Ponseti method is accepted as an effective primary conservative treatment for idiopathic clubfoot (IC) using serial casting, percutaneous Achilles tenotomy, and prolonged bracing. The outcomes of its use in treating rigid clubfoot in arthrogryposis are unclear. This study assesses the outcomes of the Ponseti method in children with IC and arthrogrypotic clubfoot at an average age of 10 years. Outcomes of the Ponseti method were retrospectively studied in ambulatory children ages 8.0 to 12.9 years in the gait lab between 2004 and 2024. Children were excluded due to the presence of nonidiopathic or nonarthrogryposis-related clubfoot and history of posteromedial release. The Ponseti treatment included serial casting and Achilles tenotomy in infancy, followed by night bracing until age 5 in both cohorts. Clubfoot groups were compared with typically developing children by analyses of foot pressure data, passive range of motion, Gross Motor Function Measure Dimension-D, and Pediatric Outcomes Data Collection Instrument. Surgical history was also recorded. A subsection of these children visited the gait lab at age 4.0 to 6.9 years (2003 to 2021) and data from their visits were abstracted for a longitudinal study. One hundred seventy-seven children were reviewed (48 with clubfoot associated with arthrogryposis, 129 with IC) with an average age of 9.4±0.9 years. Repeat surgical intervention was used in 33% of IC feet and 44% of arthrogrypotic clubfeet. Residual equinovarus and limitations in range of motion were present in both clubfoot groups compared with typically developing feet ( P <0.05). The foot deformity and passive range of motion restrictions were more severe in children with arthrogrypotic clubfeet ( P <0.05). The arthrogrypotic clubfoot group additionally exhibited limited gross motor and global function ( P <0.001). In 5-year to 10-year comparisons, both subgroups showed more limitations in ankle motion but improvements in dynamic equinovarus deformity and function at age 10 years ( P <0.05). Despite residual deformity, children with idiopathic clubfoot achieve typical functional outcomes through Ponseti treatment. Children with arthrogrypotic clubfeet exhibit functional limitations, but the Ponseti method is effective in improving foot position while minimizing the need for surgical intervention. Level III-therapeutic studies-investigating the results of treatment.

&lt;p class="abstract"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background:&lt;/strong&gt; Congenital talipes equinovarus is one of the commonest congenital foot deformities. Ponseti technique of treatment of clubfoot has gained popularity in the last few decades. Feet treated by Ponseti technique are supple, flexible and pain free. We have treated congenital idiopathic clubfoot with Ponseti technique at our institute and present our results.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p class="abstract"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Methods:&lt;/strong&gt; Forty eight feet in thirty children with clubfoot were treated by Ponseti technique in our institute. The study was conducted from December 2013 to December 2015. Parents were counselled regarding treatment protocol and maintenance with bracing was closely monitored. Each child was followed up for a minimum of six months. Pirani score was used to objectively document progress of treatment.&lt;strong&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p class="abstract"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Results:&lt;/strong&gt; The average number of casts required for complete correction was 6.6. 38% feet required tendoachilles tenotomy. Higher the initial Pirani score, more number of casts were required to achieve full correction. Number of casts needed for complete correction did not correlate to time of presentation.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p class="abstract"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusions:&lt;/strong&gt; Ponseti method is very effective in correcting congenital idiopathic clubfoot deformity. It’s easy to learn, is inexpensive and can completely correct the deformity. In developing nations, well trained Orthopaedic surgeons can treat these children effectively and decrease disabled population.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p class="abstract"&gt; &lt;/p&gt;

Use of Keratome 1-0 for percutaneous Tendo Achilles tenotomy for correction of equinus deformity in club foot.

We performed electrophysiological studies on both legs of 52 children, aged from 3 months to 15 years, with idiopathic club foot. In only nine (17%) was no abnormality found. Isolated peroneal nerve damage was seen in 14 (27%). Abnormality of both peroneal and posterior tibial nerves was found in five (10%). Four patients (8%) had evidence of isolated spinal-cord dysfunction, whereas combined spinal-cord and peripheral-nerve lesions were seen in 14 (27%). Six patients (11%) had variable neurogenic electrophysiological patterns. In 13 patients in whom the studies were repeated neither progression nor improvement of the electrophysiological parameters was observed. Pathological electrophysiological findings were found in 66% of conservatively-treated patients. In the 43 patients treated surgically, all 16 with fair and poor results had pathological electrophysiological findings and 12 required further operations. Multiplicity of the pathological findings was related to the severity of the deformity of the foot; normal studies represent a good prognostic sign. Electrophysiological studies are useful in idiopathic club foot with residual deformities after conservative or operative treatment. Our findings support the theory that muscle imbalance is an aetiological factor in idiopathic club foot.

Introduction: Idiopathic club foot is primarily treated by Ponseti technique of serial manipulation and casting. Ponseti recommended evaluation of club foot by palpation, but it is subjective, dependent on clinical experience and limited by inter-observer variability. Aim: To assess the deformities and amount of correction achieved after the treatment using radiographs obtained before and after treatment. Materials and Methods: A non-randomised, interventional study was done among patients with idiopathic club foot treated by Ponseti method. Radiographs including the anteroposterior and lateral projections in maximum dorsiflexion of foot were taken at presentation and after completion of treatment. Five parameters, i.e., the Anteroposterior (TCA-AP) and Lateral TaloCalcaneal Angle (TCA-LT), Anteroposterior Talo-First Metatarsal Angle (TMT-AP), Lateral Tibio-Calcaneal Angle (TiC-LT) and Talo-Calcaneal Index (TCI) were measured and analysed. The Student’s paired t-test was used to compare the variables before and after treatment and a p-value of less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results: There was a statistically significant improvement in the mean values of the five parameters after treatment when compared with the values on presentation. The Anteroposterior Talo-Calcaneal Angle (TCA-AP) before treatment had a mean value of 21.4 and after treatment had a mean value of 33.82° (p-value <0.05). The TMT-AP had a mean value of 29.07° and 2.14° following treatment (p-value <0.05). The TCA-LT had a mean of 18.05° prior to treatment and 34° after correction (p-value <0.05). The TCI had a mean of 39.41° before treatment and 67.82° after treatment (p-value<0.05). The TiC-LT at presentation had a mean value of 102.95° and 64.31 after treatment (p-value <0.05). Conclusion: Analytical radiology of club foot is a reliable method of evaluation of the treatment and tends to be more objective and critical when multiple parameters are considered.

Objective In the present study we aimed to present the experience with the Ponseti technique for correcting club foot deformity in children at the Al-Gamhuria Teaching Hospital Aden, Yemen. Patients and methods The current study was a prospective study for the treatment of idiopathic club foot deformities, grades II, III and IV. The study was carried out at Al-Gamhuria Teaching Hospital, Aden City, Yemen. A total number of 122 feet, of 72 patients, were treated (50 bilateral and 22 unilateral). Out of 72 patients, 47 were boys and 25 were girls. The mean age was 6 months (range 2 weeks-38 months). The patients had not received any treatment prior to this. The patients had manipulation casting in accordance with the Ponseti technique. Percutaneous Achilles tenotomy was performed in the presence of persistent equinus. Maintenance of correction was obtained with the use of a locally custom-made orthopedic shoe. The mean follow-up period was 21 months (range 10-46 months). Results A total of 103 feet (84%) were treated successfully using the Ponseti method of casting with locally custom-made orthopedic shoes. Nineteen feet had relapse of one or more of the deformities. They required either further casting or surgeries. Conclusion The Ponseti method proved efficient in correcting the idiopathic congenital club foot deformities, and that the problem of abduction brace can be overcome by using physiotherapy and orthopedic shoes designed for club foot.

This study aimed to investigate foot kinematics during gait in individuals with idiopathic clubfoot initially treated with the Ponseti method, focusing on clubfoot-specific deformities, to improve the understanding of posttreatment functional impairments. In this prospective cohort study, 23 patients with treated idiopathic clubfoot (34 feet) were compared with 15 age-matched healthy controls (30 feet). Gait analysis was performed using the Heidelberg Foot Model. To characterize residual clubfoot deformities, selected kinematic parameters included medial arch and subtalar angles, as well as intersegmental angles between hindfoot-shank and forefoot-hindfoot, based on more functional joint centers. Within the patient group, potential influence of additional surgical interventions was explored. Compared with controls, treated idiopathic clubfoot exhibited significant reductions in hindfoot sagittal and transverse range of motion, forefoot sagittal range of motion, and medial arch mobility. Equinus deformity was not present posttreatment, as dorsiflexion metrics during stance did not differ significantly. However, plantarflexion range of motion during the transition to swing was reduced. In addition, treated idiopathic clubfoot showed persistent subtalar inversion and hindfoot varus, increased mid-stance adductus in both hindfoot and forefoot, and pronounced arch stiffness during transition to swing. Within the patient group, ankle and subtalar capsulotomy was associated with increased medial arch cavus. Patients with treated idiopathic clubfoot exhibit a functionally stiffer foot with altered alignment during gait, contributing to impaired limb advancement. The results expand the understanding of residual clubfoot deformities and highlight the importance of detailed functional assessment posttreatment, providing a foundation for future research. Level II, prognostic study.

Congenital talipes equinovarus is one of the most prevalent birth defects, affecting approximately 0.6 to 1.5 children per 1000 live births. Currently, the Ponseti method is the gold-standard treatment for idiopathic clubfeet, with good results reported globally. This literature review focuses on common errors encountered during different stages of the management of idiopathic clubfeet, namely diagnosis, manipulation, serial casting, Achilles tenotomy, and bracing. The purpose is to update clinicians and provide broad guidelines that can be followed to avoid and manage these errors to optimize short- and long-term outcomes of treatment of idiopathic clubfeet using the Ponseti method. A literature search was performed using the following keywords: "Idiopathic Clubfoot" (All Fields) AND "Management" OR "Outcomes" (All Fields). Databases searched included PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, and SCOPUS (age range: 0-12 months). A full-text review of these articles was then performed looking for "complications" or "errors" reported during the treatment process. A total of 61 articles were included in the final review: 28 from PubMed, 8 from EMBASE, 17 from Google Scholar, 2 from Cochrane Library, and 6 from SCOPUS. We then grouped the errors encountered during the treatment process under the different stages of the treatment protocol (diagnosis, manipulation and casting, tenotomy, and bracing) to facilitate discussion and highlight solutions. While the Ponseti method is currently the gold standard in clubfoot treatment, its precise and intensive nature can present clinicians, health care providers, and patients with potential problems if proper diligence and attention to detail is lacking. The purpose of this paper is to highlight common mistakes made throughout the Ponseti treatment protocol from diagnosis to bracing to optimize care for these patients.

Objective: To determine the effectiveness of ponseti versus kite method for the management of club foot among children. Methods: A quasi experimental trial was conducted to determine the most effective conservative method for managing idiopathic club foot. This study was carried out in District Head Quarter Hospital, Layyah. A total of 46 children (60 Feet) aged less than six months of both genders were included in this study using convenience sampling technique. The study sample was divided into Group A (Ponseti) and Group B (Kite). Each treatment group comprises of 30 feet. Patients were called for weekly follow up till ten weeks consecutively. At every follow-up visit, patients were assessed to check the improvement of deformity with the help of the Pirani scoring system for the foot. Pirani score difference was measured in both treatment groups from the baseline until the last follow-up interval until the 10th Week. Pirani score difference was measured in both treatment groups from the baseline until the last follow-up interval until the 10th Week. A greater negative value signified better correction. SPSS 23 was used for data entry and analysis. Results: Children's mean age in both treatment groups (A and B) was 10.83±4.59 and 10.20±4.75 weeks. At presentation mean Pirani score in both treatment groups (A and B) was 5.85±0.67 and 5.86±0.45, respectively, while at 10th follow up it was 1.42±0.39 and 2.35±0.54 for group A and group B, respectively. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that the Ponseti technique significantly improved the management of club foot as that of the Kites method. Ponseti's method is more effective in terms of rapid improvement in the involved group. Key words: Non operative Management, Idiopathic Club foot, Kites method, Ponseti method.

Congenital talipes equinovarus (CTEV), or clubfoot, is one of the most common foot deformities seen at birth.The Ponseti technique is the most common method to treat clubfoot and consists of gentle manipulation with serial casting, a percutaneous Achilles tendon tenotomy, and bracing for the first few years of life. The purpose of this study was to determine whether socioeconomic factors influence compliance with clubfoot bracing for families with infants who have idiopathic clubfoot treated by the Ponseti method. All patients with clubfoot deformity who began primary treatment at our pediatric orthopedic clinic between February 2018 and May 2021 were included in a retrospective chart review. Compliance was defined as strict adherence to the initial casting and tenotomy appointments, in addition to the caregiver's reported compliance with brace wear, and no mention of non-compliance in the patient's medical record. Recurrence was defined as relapse of the deformity after at least one year of follow-up and/or the need for additional casting or tenotomy. Forty-three patients were included in the final analysis of compliance with bracing. No significant correlations were seen between the rate of compliance with bracing and any of the socioeconomic factors assessed in this study. The odds of noncompliance were 7.0 times higher in patients who had one or more missed clinic appointments, compared to those who attended all appointments (P= 0.01). Forty-one patients were analyzed at a minimum one-year follow-up for recurrence of deformity. The odds ratio for recurrence of deformity in patients who were noncompliant with bracing was 74.8 compared to those who were compliant (P=< 0.001). Socioeconomic factors, including household income, education level, zip code, employment status of caregivers, and insurance status, were not associated with bracing compliance or recurrence of the clubfoot deformity.This was a level 2 observational study.