Management outcome of congenital talipes equinovarus (clubfoot) using Ponseti protocol at Lagos University Teaching Hospital.

Background: Idiopathic clubfoot occurs commonly in children with a prevalence of 1 in 1000. The Pirani scoring system, which consists of a midfoot contracture score and hindfoot contracture score, is traditionally used in assessing the severity of clubfoot deformity. Ponseti protocol is used in the management of clubfoot deformity. The study aimed to evaluate the outcome of the management of clubfoot using the Ponseti protocol and to correlate the outcome with the initial Pirani score.

Materials and methods: Eighty-two children aged 1 week-2 years with 128 idiopathic clubfeet were recruited into the study. The severity of their clubfoot deformities was scored using the Pirani scoring system on recruitment. They were managed with weekly serial manipulation and cast application with or without tendon-Achilles tenotomy according to Ponseti protocol.

Results: The average initial Pirani score was 3.6 ± 0.9. The average number of casts used was 5.9 ± 1.3 (range: 4-9 casts). Tenotomy was done in 51.56% of the feet. The group that required tenotomy required more casts and as such longer duration of treatment than the "no tenotomy" group. There was a relapse rate of 2% in the feet of the compliant group, whereas the relapse rate was 69% in the group that was not compliant with the use of foot-abduction brace. The success rate at 6 months follow-up was 84.4%.

Conclusions: Ponseti protocol is an excellent method of management of idiopathic clubfoot, and the Pirani scoring system was useful in assessing the initial severity and the outcome. The initial Pirani score correlates with the duration of treatment.