Electrophysiological investigations of the congenital clubfoot

Objective:To evaluate the function of neural system in congenital clubfoot and elucidate the etiology,and elicit prognosis.Method:From Feb.2001 to Dec.2003,48 patients were analyzed with electrophysiological examination such as somatosensory evoked potentials(SSEPs).Result:The results of 43 clubfoots(68.3%)were abnormal.Meanwhile,the results reviewed that there were 27 cases showed SSEP abnormality,and 15 revealed nerve conduction veolocity(NCV)abnormality,10 cases H-reflex abnormality were observed.On the other hand,almost 88% cases in the Grade severe showed neural abnormality,while of 23 clubfoots in Grade mild group were abnormal.The pathological sites were frequently localized in lumbarsacral region.Conclusion:The results reveals that most congenital clubfoots have neural abnormality and it is closely relative to the degree of the clubfoot deformity.