Functional results of surgical treatment in congenital talipes equinovarus(clubfoot): a comparison of outcome measurements

A total of 151 children with 234 grade 2 or grade 3 congenital talipes equi novarus were treated by lateral-posteromedial peritalar release utilizing t he Cincinnati incision. The feet were reviewed independently after a mean f ollow-up period of 10 years (5-19 years), using a modified rating scale, an d the results compared to the severity of the initial deformity. An excelle nt or good result was achieved in 196 feet (84%) and a modest correlation ( r = 0.48) noted between the preoperative grading of the foot and the functi onal result at later review. Both gender and bilaterality were also influen tial since a boy with bilateral deformity has a 1 in 4 chance of only a fai r result, compared to a girl with a unilateral clubfoot where the chance is 1 in 10. The total range of ankle movement and the talocalcaneal index cor related strongly with the eventual surgical outcome [r = 0.69 and 0.65 (P = 0.001 and 0.01) respectively].