Proposal of an innovative casting technique for correction of clubfoot according to Ponseti method: a pilot study.

Abstract

A total of 70 clubfeet were treated by a posterior above-knee cast (pressure points on the talus and on the first metatarsal) according to Ponseti method. At diagnosis, average Pirani score was 4.44, and mean time of treatment was 50.32 days. Overall, 27 (38.6%) clubfeet had only conservative treatment (5.29 casts) and 43 (61.4%) also had Achilles tenotomy (6.38 casts). At the end 61/70 feet (87.14%) had Pirani score 0; 10/70 feet (5.71%) had Pirani score 0.5. The Pirani score gain/cast was β=-0.432 (P<0.001). This new casting technique is safe and effective at avoiding some adverse issues related to the removal of the conventional cast.