A Comparison of Ankle Foot Orthoses with Foot Abduction Orthoses to: Prevent Recurrence Following Correction of Idlopafhic CSubfoot by the Ponsetl Method

摘要

A retrospective study identified 45 children with clubfoot (69 feet) who were treated and corrected using the Ponseti casting method at The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Canada, from 2001 through 2003. Initial treatment of all feet consisted of weekly manipulation and casting using the Ponseti technique until the forefoot was corrected to 70° of abduction and the hindfoot was in valgus. Residual equinus (< 10° of ankle dorsi-flexion) was addressed with a percutaneous Achilles tenotomy and the foot was cast in the fully corrected position for 3 weeks. The first 17 children (30 feet) were braced with an AFO and, because of a change in policy, the later 28 children (39 feet) were braced with DBB and a connecting bar. All children were followed at 6-month intervals and none were lost to follow-up. Follow-up ranged from 36 to 72 months.