Congenital Clubfoot Treated with the Ponseti Method

Purpose: This study examined the Ponseti method for the nonsurgical treatment of a congenital clubfoot. Materials and Methods: A total of 35 patients (52 clubfeet) were evaluated. All patients were treated by serial manipulation and casting as described by Ponseti. The patients were divided in two groups (Group 1: the result was successful and did not require extensive corrective surgery, Group 2: the result was unsuccessful and required extensive corrective surgery). The outcome in the two groups was compared in terms of the severity of initial deformity, initial roentgenographic findings, Achilles tenotomy, numbers of Ponseti casts before the Achilles tenotomy, total numbers of casting, age at the initial treatment, bilaterality, gender and compliance of the brace. Results: Twenty eight patients (42 feet, 80.7%) were corrected successfully without extensive corrective surgery (Group 1). Six patients (10 feet, 19.3%) required extensive corrective surgery (Group 2). The requirement of extensive corrective surgery was not related to the initial roentgenographic findings, number of Ponseti casts before the Achilles tenotomy, total numbers of castings, age at the initial treatment, bilaterality and gender. However, it was related to the severity of the initial deformity and compliance of the brace. Conclusion: The result of a congenital clubfoot treated with the Ponseti method was successful in more than 80% of patients. It was affected by the severity of the initial deformity and compliance of the brace. However, a long-term follow-up will be needed to evaluate the recurrence and residual deformities.