Background
The Ponseti method for the treatment of clubfoot has been shown to be effective in children up to 1 year of age, but the literature on its efficacy in older clubfoot patients still remains sparse. Even with this effective method, late-presenting cases are still challenging.
Objective
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the corrective effect of the Ponseti method on different components of clubfoot after walking age and to find how the patient's age relates to this correction.
Patients and methods
From 2005 to 2010, 17 feet of 12 patients with clubfeet were treated by the Ponseti method in Benha University and in pediatric specialized hospitals, with a mean age of 16 months (range 11–26 months). The mean follow-up period was 24 months (range 13–37 months). All patients were evaluated before and after treatment for the Dimeglio score. The corrections for each component of the deformity were analyzed separately.
Results
All deformities showed significant correction. Improvements for each separate component (varus, medial rotation of calcaneopedal block, and adductus) were found to be statistically significant. Painless, supple, plantigrade, and cosmetically acceptable feet were achieved in 14 (82%) clubfeet.
Conclusion
The Ponseti method is an effective method in correcting the deformities of clubfoot, even after walking age.