Comparison of posteromedial and subtalar release in surgical treatment of resistant clubfoot

Abstract

This preliminary study evalluated two surgical techniques for the treatment of resistant clubfoot: the posteromedial and the subtalar release. Two groups of matched patients with idiopathic clubfoot who underwent surgery between 1983 and 1995 were compared. In group 1 (12 patients, 18 feet), posteromedial release was performed. In this group, the results were satisfactory with a tendency to hypocorrection: 4 (22%) feet needed a secondary procedure (average follow-up: 97.8 months). Group 2 (12 patients, 17 feet) underwent complete subtalar release. The results were clinically better for group 2 (average follow-up: 38.8 months). Only 1 (5.9%) patient needed a secondary procedure. These results suggest complete subtalar release yields better postoperative correction than posteromedial release.