Does the Presence of Clubfoot delay the Onset of Walking?

Abstract

Abstract Objective Congenital clubfoot (PTC) is a congenital orthopedic condition often requiring intensive treatment; little is known about the impact of such treatment on motor development. The present study assessed whether gait development is later in patients with PTC treated with the Ponseti method in comparison to a control group and analyzed possible related factors. Methods Patients born at term, 3 weeks, number of plaster cast changes > 7, recurrence and nonperformance of Achilles tenotomy. Age at beginning of treatment > 3 weeks was related to a greater number of plaster cast changes. Gender and laterality were not related to late gait development. Conclusion Congenital clubfoot patients treated with the Ponseti method show independent walking approximately 2 months later than the control group. Delayed treatment, higher number of plaster cast changes, recurrence and nonperformance of Achilles tenotomy were related to late gait.

Keywords

• clubfoot
• gait
• congenital lower limb deformities
• orthopedic manipulation
• treatment outcome