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. 2016 Oct;10(5):445-52.
doi: 10.1007/s11832-016-0760-6. Epub 2016 Jul 19.

Ponseti method compared to previous treatment of clubfoot in Norway. A multicenter study of 205 children followed for 8-11 years

Christian Sætersdal  1 , Jonas M Fevang  2 , John Asle Bjørlykke  3 , Lars B Engesæter  2   4
Affiliations

Ponseti method compared to previous treatment of clubfoot in Norway. A multicenter study of 205 children followed for 8-11 years

Christian Sætersdal et al. J Child Orthop. 2016 Oct.

Abstract

Purpose: Despite few studies comparing Ponseti treatment and traditional treatment of clubfoot (talipes equinovarus), the Ponseti method is now accepted as standard treatment for this deformity. The Ponseti method was introduced in Norway in 2003 and the purpose of this multicenter-study was to compare the results of Ponseti treatment with the results of the previous treatment for clubfoot in Norway.

Methods: 90 children (134 clubfeet) treated with previous treatment (pre-Ponseti group), were compared to 115 Ponseti treated children (160 clubfeet) (Ponseti group). The previous treatment consisted of casting and surgery if needed. At 8-11 years of age, all children were examined by the same orthopaedic surgeon, the parents answered a questionnaire, all feet were X-rayed and information about surgical procedures was obtained from the patient records.

Results: The number of surgeries was higher in the pre-Ponseti group, and the number of extensive surgeries was 119 in the pre-Ponseti group compared to 19 in the Ponseti group. The range of motion in the ankle joint was better in the Ponseti group. Children in this group had better function, higher satisfaction and less pain according to patient and parent reported outcome measures. The incidence of moderate or severe talar flattening was higher in the pre-Ponseti group.

Conclusion: Ponseti treatment seems to be superior to the previous treatment in Norway, with regards to number and severity of operations, flexibility of the foot and ankle, parent/patient reported outcome and the presence of talar flattening on X-ray.

Keywords: Clubfoot; Number of surgeries; Outcome; Ponseti; Surgical treatment; Talar flattening.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest. Ethical approval The study was approved by the Regional Ethics Committee of western Norway (191.03).

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Overview of children elegible for and included in the study
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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