Aim: To compare the functional outcomes of patients who underwent open surgery vs Ponseti method for the management of idiopathic clubfoot and to determine whether correlations exist between functional outcome and radiographic measurements.
Methods: A meta-analysis of the literature was conducted for studies concerning primary treatment of patients with idiopathic clubfoot. We searched PubMed Medline, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library databases from January 1950 to October 2011. Meta-analyses were performed on outcomes from 12 studies. Pooled means, SDs, and sample sizes were either identified in the results or calculated based on the results of each study.
Results: Overall, 835 treated idiopathic clubfeet in 516 patients were reviewed. The average follow-up was 15.7 years. Patients managed with Ponseti method did have a higher rate of excellent or good outcome than patients treated with open surgery (0.76 and 0.62, respectively), but not quite to the point of statistical significance (Q = 3.73, P = 0.053). Age at surgery was not correlated with the functional outcome for the surgically treated patients (r = -0.32, P = 0.68). A larger anteroposterior talocalcaneal angle was correlated with a higher rate of excellent or good outcomes (r = 0.80, P = 0.006). There were no other significant correlations between the functional and radiographic outcomes.
Conclusion: The Ponseti method should be considered the initial treatment of idiopathic clubfeet, and open surgery should be reserved for clubfeet that cannot be completely corrected.
Keywords: Congenital talipes equinovarus; Idiopathic clubfoot; Ponseti method; Ponseti-Laaveg score; Surgical release.