Ponseti procedure in early non-operative treatment for congenital talipes equinovarus

Objective To evaluative the efficacy of Ponseti procedure in the treatment for congenital clubfoot at the early stage of life. Methods From May 1997 to December 2001, 22 patients (30 feet)with congenital clubfoot who were consecutively treated within the first 3 months of life. The treatment was started on an average of 23 days after birth, and consisted of weekly manipulations and serial long leg casting for an average of 10.5 weeks, as described by Ponseti. When the last cast was removed, all children were fixed with brace for at least 1 year.Results The follow up results of 27 feet (90%) with a mean period of 2 years and 4 months were satisfactory except 3 cases of which didn't insist on the bracing with malformation relapsed and had to receive surgical operation.Conclusion The Ponseti procedure, supinating and abducting manipulation with serial long leg casting and succeed in brace fixing is effective to the various types of clubfeet at the early stage of life.