A Clinical Study of congenital Clubfoot / 대한정형외과학회잡지

ABSTRACT

The treatment, etiology, and even pathological anatomy of congenital clubfoot unfortunately are still controversial. A universially accepted method of classification of the severity of the deformity is lacking, and no standardized method of evaluating the result of treatment has been developed yet. 66 patients with 94 congenital clubfeet treated in orthopedic department of Kyungpook National University Hospital from 1981 to 1986 with nonoperative and operative method were analyzed. The results were as follows1. Among 66 clubfeet patients, the sex ratio between male & female was 1.9 1, bilateral involvement was in 28 and unilateral in 38 patients. 2. 10 patients(15%) were associated with other congenital anomalies. 3. Of 94 clubfeet, flexible type were 73(78%), rigid type were 21 feet. 4. Among 74 feet who were treated conservatively with serial cast, good result was obtained in 57 feet(77%). In patients who had conservative treatment within 3 weeks of life, good result was obtained as 84%, but in patients after 3 weeks, good result was obtained as 69%. 5. The average period of serial cast correction was 7.5 weeks. 6. In conservatively treated patients the talocalcaneal index was 25±7 before treatment and 61±8 after treatment. 7. Of 20 feet who were treated with surgical correction, good and fair result was obtained in 17 feet (85%). Key Words Congenital clubfoot.