Preoperative equinus angle and prognosis in congenital talipes equinovarus: A preliminary report

This study examines the hypothesis that the preoperative, clinically determ ined, equinus angle of congenital talipes equinovarus correlates with the s urgical outcome. Data were obtained on 30 feet from 20 patients. All the pa tients had failed to respond to conservative measures of serial strapping a nd/or casting, and underwent radical primary subtalar release. Postoperativ ely, the Magone, Turco and McKay score systems were used for evaluation wit h 2 years minimum follow-up (range, 24-60 months; average, 42 months). Ther e was a negative mathematical correlation between the equinus angle and the three system scores (Magone, Turco and McKay). In the three systems, the P earson correlation with the equinus angle was negative and statistically hi ghly significant: Magone, r = -0.629, P < 0.001; Turco, r = -0.651, P < 0.0 01; McKay, r = -0.717, P < 0.001. The correlation coefficients between the scoring systems were highly significant demonstrating a very close relation ship between the systems. Excellent category outcomes were associated with smaller equinus angles.