[Congenital clubfoot. Analysis of 260 cases followed from birth].

INTRODUCTION

This study is a critical analysis of the results in a homogeneous series of 260 cases of congenital clubfoot followed from birth.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This series of congenital club feet was divided in 2 groups: the stiff forms (144 cases) and the supple forms (116 cases). Daily physical therapy and Denis Brown's splints were begun from the first examination. This method did not allow full correction of deformations in 213 cases. A posterior medial surgical release was performed. Its importance depended on the criteria of radio-clinical analysis before surgery. 46 feet were operated twice.

RESULTS

Follow up averaged 7 years. 39 per cent of patients had completed growth, only 18 per cent of feet were not operated. With the surgical treatment, the results were ""very good'' and ""good'' in 75.1 per cent of cases, according to an analysis using Seringe's criteria. 21 per cent were operated again, on an average between 3 and 8 years, with poorer results than at first surgery.

DISCUSSION

The quality of the results depends on the quality of the functional treatment. Poor control of equinism with Denis-Brown splints can be corrected by using Seringe's articulated splints or by a series of plaster casts.

CONCLUSION

Many technical factors influence the results. The quality of post-operative contention is stressed.