ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To compare 2 radiographic assessment methods for congenital talipes equinovarus: strapping the ankle with tapes versus dorsiflexion with a wooden block. METHODS: Anteroposterior and lateral radiographs were taken with the ankle strapped by tapes or dorsiflexed by a wooden block. Talocalcaneal and tibiocalcaneal angles were measured and analysed. RESULTS: 20 radiographic assessments were performed on 14 patients. From the anteroposterior view, the mean talocalcaneal angle with strapping was 19.4 degrees (range, 0-34.0 degrees; standard deviation [SD], 11.2 degrees). From the lateral view, the mean talocalcaneal angle with strapping was 22.0 degrees (range, 8.0-38.8 degrees; SD, 8.9 degrees) and with forced dorsiflexion was 21.0 degrees (range, 0-52.7 degrees; SD, 11.3 degrees), with a mean absolute difference of 9.4 degrees between the 2 groups. The mean tibiocalcaneal angle with strapping was 77.9 degrees (range, 43.2-120.0 degrees; SD, 18.8 degrees) and with forced dorsiflexion was 78.2 degrees (range, 29.5-134.0 degrees; SD, 24.7 degrees), with a mean absolute difference of 15.7 degrees between the 2 groups. The difference between the tibiocalcaneal measurements in the 2 groups was statistically significant (p=0.026). CONCLUSION: Similar results were obtained for talocalcaneal and tibiocalcaneal angles measured with strapping and forced dorsiflexion. However, the strapping method provides better stabilisation while radiographs are taken.
