Abstract
Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate Ponseti’s method of clubfoot management objectively and quantitatively by using ultrasound.
Methods: 22 newborns with 39 club feet were studied sonographically. Ultrasound examinations of all club feet were performed three times during the treatment according to Ponseti: at birth (1st measurement), one day before performing the percutaneous tenotomy of the Achilles tendon (2nd measurement) and 3 weeks after the operation (3rd measurement). In order to prove sonographic changes during the treatment precisely and quantitatively four angles (TnCe, TnMT1e, CaCue, TTd) were measured.
Results: Statistical analyses by using student’s t-test were conducted. The results are expressed as the means SD. At the first measurement means for TnCe were 19,41 (SD 11,71), for TnMT1e 15,21 (SD 10,32), for CaCue -6,49 (SD 7,14) and for TTd 33,38 (SD 10,60). At the second measurement means for TnCe were -6,93 (SD 3,96), for TnMT1e -12,24 (SD 4,76), for CaCue -4,00 (SD 5,24) and for TTd 28,66 (SD 6,38). At the third measurement means for TnCe were -7,86 (SD 5,47), for TnMT1e -12,97 (SD 5,69), for CaCue -1,45 (SD 2,05) and for TTd 18,08 (SD 2,75). At the 3rd measurement all angles showed values within the 95% confidence intervals of normal feet. All differences approached high significance (p< 0,0001).
Conclusion: During the treatment of idiopathic club-foot according to Ponseti the sonographically obtained measurements showed a significant improvement of all angles. Therefore this ultrasound technique can be used to evaluate the Ponseti method objectively and to compare one treatment to another.
Theses abstracts were prepared by Professor Roger Lemaire. Correspondence should be addressed to EFORT Central Office, Freihofstrasse 22, CH-8700 Küsnacht, Switzerland.
