TITLE:
Treatment of Idiopathic Congenital Varus Equinus Clubfoot by the Ponseti Method: Experience of the Orthopedics and Traumatology Department of Donka National Hospital
AUTHORS:
Mamadou Alpha Touré, Nyankoye Soomou, A. Barry, Daniel Agbo-Panzo, Léopold Lamah
KEYWORDS:
Clubfoot, Varus Equinus, Congenital, Idiopathic, Ponseti Method, Outcomes
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Orthopedics,
Vol.15 No.3,
March
5,
2025
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Congenital varus equinus clubfoot (CVEC) is a complex, three-dimensional deformity of the bones of the foot, their joints, and soft tissues. It is common in Guinea and presents a significant challenge in management. It is the most common foot deformity in pediatric orthopedics, affecting 0.2% of births, with a male predominance. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Ponseti method in treating CVEC and to identify factors influencing the outcomes. Method: This was a prospective descriptive study conducted over 14 months, involving 28 patients aged 0 to 4 years with idiopathic CVEC. The parameters studied included epidemiological, clinical, therapeutic, and evolutionary data. All patients were treated using the Ponseti method, and the Dimeglio score was used to assess treatment effectiveness. Results: The study included 19 boys and 9 girls, with a total of 44 clubfeet. Bilateral involvement was observed in 50% of cases. The complication rate was 14%, and the average treatment cost was 56% of the basic salary of a Guinean civil servant. The minimum follow-up was 10 months, with very good and good outcomes in 70.5% of cases. Conclusion: Congenital varus equinus clubfoot is a condition that can be effectively managed using the Ponseti method. Its cost-effectiveness makes it a recommended approach in resource-limited countries.