The effect of two different plastering techniques on the rate of major surgery in idiopathic clubfoot

Purpose of study

Serial manipulations and casting for the treatment of congenital clubfoot has long been the practice internationally. There are, however, a great variety of manipulative techniques being practiced with differing results. We aim to determine how the rate of major surgery, ie. a full posteromedial-release (PMR), as initial surgical intervention has changed since introducing the Ponseti method of plastering at our centre in 2002. We also aim to determine whether pre-operative radiographs have any bearing on the type of surgery performed.

Methods

Clinical records and radiographs of all patients presenting to our clubfoot clinic in the years 1999–2000 and 2009–2010 respectively were reviewed. Patients were included if they had clinical clubfoot, and excluded if they presented after 3 months of age, had undergone prior treatment or suffered from associated congenital anomalies. We then determined which patients underwent PMR as primary surgical intervention following serial castings. We also measured the radiographic parameters on all available radiographs (tibiocalcaneal, talometatarsal-I, lateral and AP talocalcaneal angles) and performed a statistical analysis to determine their value in predicting the type of surgery required.

Results

In the pre-Ponseti group we included 83 feet of which 34 had undergone PMR. In the Ponseti group there were 68 feet, of which none had undergone PMR. This was found to be statistically significant. Of the measured angles, the tibiocalcaneal and lateral talocalcaneal had the highest correlation with clinical severity (.67 and −.45 respectively).

Conclusion

Employing the Ponseti method of plastering has significantly decreased the need for major surgery at our centre. This is in keeping with published results internationally. We found the tibiocalcaneal angle to be the most predictive of need for major surgery, and the talometatarsal-I to be the least predictive. The role of pre-operative X-rays, however, remains unclear as surgical decisions are made on clinical grounds.

NO DISCLOSURES