The results of early posterior release in resistant club feet. A long-term review

Abstract

Seventy resistant club feet in 46 patients were treated within the first six months of life by posterior release as an incident in continuing conservative care and were later assessed at an average age of 15 years. Assessment was made upon strict clinical criteria, including appearance, function and degree of pain during activity; the results were excellent in 22 feet, good in 19, and poor in 29. We also studied the correlation between the radiographs and the final outcome. From these data we propose certain indications for the timing and technique of this type of management, and also discuss the relative merits of this approach compared with more conventional radical release operations.