Early intensive treatment of clubfoot. 75 feet followed for 6-11 years.
47 consecutive children with 28 bilateral and 19 unilateral clubfeet were treated during the neonatal period according to a strict protocol including physiotherapy and bracing from the first 2 weeks of life; further, in most of the children, an operation was performed at 3 (2-5) months of age. Physiotherapy was continued during the first year of life and bracing for 3 years. 27 feet had repeat operations. No peroperative or postoperative complications were seen. At follow-up at aged 8 (6-11) years, the cosmetic result was good in 62 feet, acceptable in 12 feet, and poor in 1 foot, whereas the functional result was excellent in 51 feet, good in 21 feet, and fair in 3 feet. The radiographs showed a higher lateral talocalcaneal angle in the control feet than in the treated feet; but in other radiographic aspects, no differences were seen. The need of a secondary or even tertiary operation did not indicate a poor result.
Strömqvist
B
B
Lund University Hospital Department of Orthopedics, Sweden.
Johnsson
R
R
Jonsson
K
K
Sundén
G
G
D000367:Age Factors; D001915:Braces; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003025:Clubfoot / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities / Q000379:methods; D011859:Radiography; D012086:Reoperation