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Operative management of congenital talipes equinovarus deformity: experience and reason
Abstract
Methods: We present a retrospective review of congenital talipes equinovarus treated by Elongation of tendo Achilles (ETA) and Posterior Medial Release(PMR) at National Orthopaedic Hospital Enugu over a 6- year period (January1995- December 2000).
Results: There were 63(68%) males and 30(32%) females with mean age of 2.06 years at presentation (range 1/12-18years). There was positive family history in 6(7%) patients. More than half of the patients 63(68%) came without any formal referral. The mode of delivery was spontaneous vaginal delivery in 81(87%) and the first child appears to be more affected 22(24%). The deformities on presentation varied from talipes equinovarus 50(54%) to frank equinus in 3(3%) and fifty-four (58%) were bilateral. Sixty- three (68%) had initial treatment ranging from serial casting in 46(50%) to massage by traditional bonesetter in 2(2%) and the average duration of this initial treatment was 20weeks (range 2-106weeks). The average age at surgery was 2.5years (range 3/12-24 years). All patients received postoperative cast for an average of 13 weeks. The commonest post- operative complication was medial wound breakdown. The average duration of follow-up was 30 weeks (range3weeks-3years). Some patients were lost to follow-up immediately the cast was removed. As at last visit 90% were walking pain-free and do not require special shoe. The commonest residual deformity as at last visit was forefoot adduction in 17(18%) patients.
Conclusion: Elongation of tendo-Achilles and posteromedial soft tissue release are common operative procedures for CTEV. The short-term result of these procedures appears very good in our environment. However, the long-term result cannot be effectively analyzed due to high rate of loss to follow-up
Orient Journal of Medicine Vol. 18(1&2) 2006: 24-29