Purpose of the study: Among the causes of secondary congenital equinovarus club foot, neurological disorders predominate. The entity we examine here corresponds to irreversible pure motor paralysis with no sensorial disorder affecting the lateral compartment predominantly and sometimes associated with involvement of the anterior compartment. There is no literature on this entity. Beyond the question of the aetiology, the demonstration of this pathological condition can modify therapeutic strategy in order to prevent recurrence.

Material and methods: We examined 42 congenital equinovarus club feet with persistent pure motor paralysis involving the lateral compartment and sometimes the anterior compartment with a mean 10 years follow-up. The Dimeglio classification was used and an analytical muscle score was noted for each patient. Complementary tests included an electromyogramme when possible. Conservative treatment was the rule either using a functional method or the Ponseti method; surgery was then proposed when necessary for posteromedial release with or without palliative muscle transfer. The following procedures were performed: posteromedial release (n=33) and muscle transfer (n=26): tibialis posterior (n=22), tibialis anterior (n=3); hemisoleus (,n=1); tibialis posterior associated with flexor digitorum longus (n=3).

Results: Conservative treatment was used for all feet but all presented recurrence and required secondary surgery (33 posteromedial releases and 26 muscle transfers).

Discussion: This study opens the discussion on the similarity between idiopathic and arthrogryoposis club foot since the electromyography sometimes reveals an anomaly of the anterior horn. Thus club foot with pure motor and persistent paralysis involving the lateral and/or anterior compartment will not respond sufficiently to nocturnal contention if an adapted muscle transfer is not associated.

Conclusion: Muscle transfer to reactivate dorsal flexion of the foot enables a better functional outcome. First intention conservative treatment can be instituted while waiting for potential recovery. If the paralysis persists beyond one year, muscle transfer is indicated before the deformity recurs and requires an associated posteromedial release.

Purpose of the study: the Pavlik harness has been used for the treatment of congenital hip dislocation since it was designed by Arnold Pavlik in 1950. There remains however a certain debate concerning the best moment to start treatment and its duration. We advocate early use of the Pavlic harness for a short period.

Material and methods: Forty-five hips (34 infants) were treated. The diagnosis of dislocation was clinical. The Barlow and Ortolani maneuvers were used to search for clinical instability classed as «positive dislocation test» or «negative test but presence of piston movement». Different classifications of positive tests were used to search for an association with increasing severity of hip instability. Static and dynamic ultrasound was then used to confirm the diagnosis of hip dislocation. A Pavlik harness was installed immediately after diagnosis of congenital hip dislocation, on the day of birth if possible, according to the precepts proposed by the inventor.

Results: Among the 43 hips analyzed I the present series, reduction and stabilization was successfully achieved with the Pavlic harness in 40 used as early as possible for a short a period as possible. This 95.6% success rate (2 failures, 0 complications) was achieved within 3 o 8 weeks.

Discussion: Our results are comparable with other series reporting early use of the Mubarak method. The duration of treatment was shorter with our therapeutic method. We did not attempt to treat the dysplasia, spontaneous regression was monitored radiographically.

Conclusion: We consider congenital hip displasia to be a therapeutic emergency. Treatment should be undertaken as soon as the dislocating intrauterine constraints cease. Early use of the Pavlik harness on easily dislocated or dislocated reducible hips has given excellent results. The shorter treatment duration does not lead to any recurrence as long as clinical stability with formal radiographic confirmation at treatment end.