Management of Congenital Club Foot

Abstract

Aims and Objectives: To determine the effectiveness of Ponseti technique with the kite method in the management of congenital club foot. Study Design:  It was a prospective interventional study. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in the department of Orthopedic Surgery Foundation University Medical College and Fauji Foundation Hospital Rawalpindi from 1^st October 2009 to 31^st June 2010. Results: Total of 46 patients with grade 2 deformity was included in the study who meets the inclusion criteria. Patients were randomly divided into two groups of 23 each. Majority of the patients (65 %) were between 05-09 weeks of age. The mean age was recorded as 7.7 weeks with S.D of 5.21. TEV is a predominantly male’s disease as 65 % patients in this study were males, while 35 % were females in group-A. Similarly in group-B, males were 78% and 22% were female.  Outcome of both the procedures was recorded at three months follow up. In group-A success rate was recorded 74% as compared to group-B in which 87 % patients were found in satisfactory range with more than 25 passive range of dorsiflexion at ankle joint. Conclusion:  Conservative Ponseti method is the best option for the management of Congenital Talipes Equino Varus (clubfoot) for grade 2 deformity, when starts early. This not only corrects the deformity, preventing surgical intervention but also lessens the financial burden over the parents as well as on the health system.