Background: The Ponseti method has revolutionized the management of idiopathic congenital talipes equinovarus (CTEV). However, nonidiopathic CTEV is still often primarily treated by extensive surgical soft tissue release. We believe that nonoperative treatment of these patients using the Ponseti method may give very satisfactory results.
Methods: We examined the demographics of nonidiopathic CTEV and the success of the Ponseti method in this population over a 5-year period. We treated 29 patients with 43 nonidiopathic and 97 patients with 138 idiopathic CTEV feet. Patients with nonidiopathic CTEV made up 23% of all cases. The commonest etiologies were arthrogryposis (5 cases), trisomy 21 (4 cases), and spina bifida (3 cases). Average follow-up was 39 (nonidiopathic group) and 35 months (idiopathic group).
Results: The Ponseti method was initially successful in 91% of nonidiopathic and 98% of idiopathic feet. Recurrence of deformity occurred in 44% of nonidiopathic and 8% of idiopathic feet. Thirty-seven percent of nonidiopathic feet required extensive surgical release compared with 2% in the idiopathic group.
Conclusions: Although the success rate of the Ponseti method in nonidiopathic CTEV is inferior to that in idiopathic CTEV, 63% of our nonidiopathic patients did not require extensive surgery. We believe that the Ponseti method should be used in all cases of nonidiopathic CTEV.
Level of evidence: Level III--prospective cohort study.