Neonatal surgery in clubfoot

Abstract

Neonatal surgery for clubfoot is conducted according to the following rules: One must work as close to the lesions as possible. It is important to avoid going beyond abnormal tissues. Dissection should be precise and economical. Opening of Lisfranc's joint or sectioning of the medial ligament must be avoided. One must operate with maximal accuracy. All areas of fibrosis must be excised, but care must be taken not to enter the interarticular space. If a bone deformity is present, one must accept an incomplete correction. One must act as soon as possible. This is the inverse of classic management in which orthopedic surgery was postponed. We prefer early surgery followed by intensive postoperative rehabilitation.