title: Athletic ability of school-age children after satisfactory treatment of congenital clubfoot.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This is the first study to objectively assess the athletic ability of school-age congenital clubfoot patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-six feet of 30 patients (18 boys, 12 girls) were evaluated in this study. Nine patients were treated conservatively, 8 patients underwent percutaneous tenotomy of the Achilles tendon, and 13 patients were treated with extensive soft-tissue release. The mean age at the investigation was 9.2±1.9 years, and the mean follow-up period was 8.3±2.9 years. Athletic ability was evaluated by calculating Z-scores for the patients' scores in 5 physical fitness tests routinely performed nationwide at elementary schools: 50-meter run; standing long jump; repetition side steps; 20-meter shuttle run; and sit-ups. The Z-scores were calculated based on data published as the nationwide standards.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 148 scores recorded for the 5 tests for the 30 clubfoot patients, 143 scores (96.6%) were higher than the -2 SD value. The mean Z-scores were as follows: -0.32 for 50-meter run; -0.16 for standing long jump; -0.24 for 20-meter shuttle run; 0.22 for repetition side steps; and 0.06 for sit-ups. None of the events showed any significant differences among the three treatment groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Congenital clubfoot with satisfactory treatment did not significantly impair the athletic performance.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prognostic level III.
authors.affiliation: Kitasato University School of Medicine, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan. pseudolefty811@yahoo.co.jp
authors.forename: Tomonori
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kenmoku
authors.forename: Makoto
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kamegaya
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Saisu
authors.forename: Nobuyasu
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ochiai
authors.forename: Nahoko
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Iwakura
authors.forename: Dai
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Iwase
authors.forename: Kazuhisa
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Takahashi
authors.forename: Masashi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Takaso
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D003025:Clubfoot / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010809:Physical Fitness; D012074:Remission Induction; D013177:Sports