Publication:

Management of congenital talipes equino varus using Ponseti method: 3 year follow up in 166 club feet

Background Our aim was to study the effectiveness of Ponseti method using Pirani score in children with club foot treated over the past three years at our hospital.

Methods We studied 111 children with 166 idiopathic club feet who were treated at our teaching hospital between period of January 2012 and January 2017.The foot deformities were assessed using Pirani score at the time of first visit and the scores were recorded with each subsequent visit, with each casting and manipulation until correction of deformity. Tenotomy was performed on all the idiopathic club feet and continued with Steenbeek foot abduction brace (FAB) and the scores were recorded with every follow up and the progress was noted. All the relevant data in terms of treatment and demographics were recorded with dates and maintained.

Results Total of 166 feet of 111 children was treated out of which 72 were males and 39 were females. 55 children had bilateral involvement remaining were unilateral. Mean Pirani score was 5.5 (range 4-6) when the treatment was started. On an average 5.7 casts (range 3-9) were required before preforming a tenotomy. Tenotomy was performed on all the feet (100%) with idiopathic club foot. Foot abduction orthosis was given to all the patients and 108 patients (97.3%) were compliant. Mean Pirani score after three years of treatment was 0.26. Skin complications like blister formation were seen in three children during the course of the treatment. Four patients did not follow up and defaulted. Three patients had relapse or worsening of Pirani score. The recurrence or worsening of scores is thought to be due to poor compliance while using the foot abduction brace.

Conclusions Ponseti method of treatment for CTEV is very effective, simple, non-invasive and convenient with excellent outcomes over long term with no significant complications.