R. Muralidhar Reddy1
BACKGROUND Club foot is one of the commonest congenital deformities. Objectives of this study were to assess the outcome of clubfeet treated by Ponseti technique overall and outcome related to severity of clubfoot. MATERIALS AND METHODS It is a prospective study of 22 club-feet (17 patients) treated by Ponseti technique from January 2015 to 2018 January. Age group ranges between 1 week to 6 months. All club feet were evaluated and graded by Dimeglio scoring method into mild (grade 1), moderate (grade 2), severe (grade 3) and very severe (Grade 4) grades depending on Dimeglio score. All club feet treated by Ponseti technique and Dimeglio score given to each clubfoot. Outcome analysis done by paired t- test. RESULTS Overall 22 club feet were treated (grade 1 or mild - 4 cases, grade 2 or moderate- 4 cases, grade 3 or severe – 10 cases, grade 4 or very severe – 4 cases). The average initial Dimeglio score before treatment was 14.1 and the average final Dimeglio score after treatment is 0.77 with a very significant p value of <0.0001 using paired t-test. Overall excellent results achieved in 68% cases, good results achieved in 18% cases, fair results in 5% of cases and poor results in 9% of cases. Individually 100% excellent results achieved in grade 1, grade 2 club feet. 80% excellent and 20% good results achieved in grade 3 clubfoot. 25% good, 25% fair and 50% poor results achieved in grade 4 club foot. (especially age above 3 months) CONCLUSION Ponseti technique is safe and effective treatment for management of idiopathic club foot. Can be practised by any orthopaedic surgeon even in rural setup.
