Comparison of the short-term and long-term results of the Ponseti method in the treatment of idiopathic pes equinovarus

Purpose Congenital club foot is one of the most common birth defects involving the musculoskeletal system. At present two methods are used for the treatment of this deformity: French and Ponseti method. The purpose of this study was to compare the short-term (up to three years) and long-term (three to seven years) results of treatment with the Ponseti method. Methods A total of 195 consecutive infants (143 boys and 52 girls) with idiopathic club foot treated with the Ponseti method in the period of 2005-2012 were included in this study; the total number of feet was 303. The severity of the foot deformity was classified according to Dimeglio. When relapse occurred up until three years of age, we started with the casting again. If conservative treatment was unsuccessful we proceeded to surgical treatment. Results Primary correction was attained in all cases. Surgical correction of relapses was performed in 30 % of patients according to the Ponseti method (re-tenotomy of the Achilles tendon and transposition of the tibialis anterior) and in 70 % by alternative techniques. The number of relapses indicated for surgery increased with increasing period of follow-up: whereas in patients where the treatment started already in 2005 relapses occurred in 72 %, in patients included in 2011 the number of recurrences only reached 3 %. Conclusions It follows from our results that it is impossible to cure all club feet with casting, tenotomy of the Achilles tendon and transposition of the tibialis anterior only.