Treatment of Foot Deformities in Children under 3

Abstract

Introduction. The choice of treatment options of foot deformity in children is the most acute in the first years of life. In this regard, the need for hospital stay of a child is debatable today. A number of interventions in the treatment of foot pathology can be performed on an outpatient basis.The aim of this study was to improve clinical outcomes of pes equino-varus treatment using the Ponseti procedure, and the Dobbs vertical talus correction combined with massage, physiotherapy and exercise therapy on the outpatient and inpatient basis in pediatric population. Methods. The study included 106 children who were examined and treated at N.F. Filatov Children's City Clinical Hospital in 2015-2020.Results. The study revealed that, if left untreated, the orthopedic pathology of the feet in children is often accompanied by pain, functional changes and a high risk of disability, the fact evidencing high social significance of the studied nosology. In all examined children a congenital deformity of the foot was completely eliminated after a comprehensive assessment and a combination of conservative and surgical correction techniques. Conclusions. Careful adherence to the Ponseti procedure is required to achieve a complete pes equino-varus correction. Early beginning of correction is the most beneficial due to its effectiveness.