Treatment of congenital club foot with Ponseti method

Introduction: Idiopathic congenital talipes equinovarus (Club Foot) is a complex deformity that is difficult to correct. The goal of treatment is to reduce or eliminate its four components so that the patient has a functional, pain free, plantigrade foot, with good mobility and without calluses, and does not need to wear modified shoes. Material and Methods: We have treated 41 patients with 60 idiopathic clubfoot deformity using Ponseti method of management. The severity of foot deformity was assessed according to the grading system of Dimeglio et al. Results: The mean number of casts that were applied to obtain correction was six (range four to nine casts). Tenotomy was done in 58 feet. Fifty eight feet had good results.Two patients developed recurrence of the deformity due to non-compliance of the use of orthrotics. Conclusion: The Ponseti method is a safe and effective treatment for congenital idiopathic clubfoot and radically decreases the need for extensive corrective surgery. Non compliance with orthotics has been widely reported to be the main factor causing failure of the technique.