title: What is the fate of clubfoot patients treated by posteromedial release?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Management and long-term results of operatively treated clubfoot deformity still remains controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the radiological and clinical results of adult clubfoot patients treated with posteromedial release.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between 2005 and 2012, we evaluated patients with congenital foot deformities regarding clubfoot who were operatively treated with complete posteromedial release. Out of 320 patients evaluated, 29 patients (40 feet) were included the study. We also included foot radiographies of 40 healthy adults. Talocalcaneal angle on the dorsoplantar projection (TC-DP) and lateral projection (TC-L) and talus-first metatarsal angle on the dorsoplantar projection (TFM-DP) were measured for both clubfeet and control groups. Laaveg-Ponseti functional rating system was used for clinical evaluation and measurement of lower leg circumference was used for detection of atrophy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average age was 21.5 years (range 19-34). The mean TC-DP angle was 16.97 in the clubfeet group and 21.03 in the control group. The mean TC-L angle was 23.34 in the clubfeet group and 33.98 in the control group. The mean TFM-DP angle was 9.02 in the clubfeet group and 7.9 in control group. There were statistically significant difference between clubfoot and control groups regarding the TC-DP angle and the TC-L angle. The average Laaveg-Ponseti score was 74 points (range 42-96). While no significant correlations could be detected between the TC-DP angle, the TC-L angle, the TFM-DP angle and the functional score, a significant correlation was detected between circumferential measurement of lower leg and functional score (p = 0.04).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Functional outcome may be affected by lower leg muscular atrophy instead of foot alignment disturbance. Lastly we believe that results for treatment of clubfoot-a three-dimensional deformity-need to be evaluated with three-dimensional imaging techniques.
authors: Orthopaedics and Traumatology Department, Istanbul Medipol University, Istanbul, Turkey, misyar2003@yahoo.com.
authors: Mehmet
authors: M
authors: İşyar
authors: Selami
authors: S
authors: Çakmak
authors: Mahir
authors: M
authors: Mahiroğulları
authors: Kenan
authors: K
authors: Keklikçi
authors: Mustafa Bahadır
authors: MB
authors: Ekinci
authors: Osman
authors: O
authors: Rodop
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003025:Clubfoot / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008297:Male; D008682:Metatarsal Bones / Q000601:surgery*; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D011859:Radiography; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult