Abstract
Nonsurgical treatment is gaining importance nowadays due to the complications that a surgery involves: over-correction, subcorrection and joint stiffness.
A comparative and prospective study of longitudinal cut was performed between May 2000 and July 2001 in 16 patients (26 feet) with varus equinus supination club-foot. It aimed to evaluate the results of the nonsurgical treatment. All the patients were younger than 1-year-old and virgin of treatment
The technique described by Ponseti was used and its rules were followed strictly. All the components where corrected simultaneously except the equinus which was treated with percutaneous Achilles tenotomy when the initial treatment proved no to be successful. 3 patients (11%) required subtalar released.
The study shows that if Ponseti indication are strictly followed in the clubfoot treatment, only 11% of the patients would require surgical treatment within the first year of life, in contrast with the 70% of surgical indications we have had upto now. Proper training in the use of the technique and a personalized follow up improves the possibility of a successful treatment.
