Correction of idiopathic clubfoot: a comparison of results of early versus delayed posteromedial release

Abstract

The clinical and radiographic results of posteromedial release performed on 30 patients (44 feet) were assessed. The patients were divided into three groups based on their average age at the time of operation (early, 4.4 months; middle, 9.1 months; and late, 16.1 months). All patients had similar preoperative deformity, surgical management, and postoperative treatment. The outcomes of all three groups were similar with the exception of hindfoot-to-forefoot alignment and hindfoot varus correction. The early group demonstrated better clinical and radiologic foot alignment and had the lowest incidence of radiologic tarsal deformities (7 vs. 28% in the middle group and 35% in the late group).