Results of an accelerated Ponseti protocol for clubfoot

Abstract

The Ponseti method has demonstrated excellent results when performed at weekly intervals, but it is not known whether correction can be accomplished in a shorter amount of time. This study evaluated the success in correction in relation to time between casts (5 or 7 days). The authors retrospectively reviewed 230 patients (319 clubfeet). One hundred sixty-five patients (72%) had undergone previous nonsurgical treatment elsewhere. Patients were assigned to 5 or 7 days based solely on geography. Ninety percent of patients required five or fewer casts for correction, and there was no difference between groups (P = 0.85). Average time from first cast to Achilles tenotomy was 16 days for the 5-day group and 24 days for the 7-day group (P = 0.001). Three patients (1.3%) required corrective surgery and there were 36 relapses (P = 0.4). In conclusion, the Ponseti method is very effective and the deformity can be corrected in a relatively short time.