Progressive Pain Response in Idiopathic Clubfoot Children Undergoing Ponseti Casting: A Prospective Evaluation in 34 Feet.

Background: Investigations of pain and physiologic responses response during Ponseti casting are in the preliminary stage. This short-term study aims to quantify pain responses and to note the variations, if any, during subsequent casting sessions.

Methods: In this prospective study, the pain parameters were evaluated in 34 clubfeet. Video recording of each casting session was performed 1 minute before casting, during casting, and after 1 minute of casting. The videos were scored objectively using Neonatal Infant Pain Score (NIPS). Heart rate (HR) and oxygen saturation were recorded by using a pulse oximeter.

Results: There was progressive increase in pain response until, at the last casting session, it was recorded as NIPS 4 (interquartile range, 1) (P = .02479). Before, during, and after casting, HR rose significantly in succeeding sessions. The mean HR during the first cast session was 175.5 ± 27.2/min, which increased to a mean of 197.3 ± 18.9/min (P = .000282). For the third parameter (oxygen saturation), no differences were observed between the first and last casting sessions.

Conclusions: There was moderate pain response during Ponseti casting sessions as demonstrated by the NIPS. It rose significantly toward the last cast. The clubfoot child showed an exaggerated heart rate in succeeding casting sessions. No variations were noticed for oxygen saturation.