Anthropometric measurements in Ponseti treated clubfeet.

INTRODUCTION: We measured the foot dimensions in the Ponseti treated idiopathic clubfeet to compare differences in foot sizes, if any.

PATIENT AND METHODS: The foot length and width in unaffected, unilateral and bilateral clubfeet were measured and analysed statistically.

RESULTS: Average follow up was 22.2 months. Bilateral feet were similar in size. The unilateral affected feet matched in size with contralateral unaffected feet. The size difference between bilateral and unilateral affected feet was not significant. The bilateral feet were significantly smaller than age matched unaffected feet [in length 0.8 cm (6.1%); p = 0.03 and in width 0.2 cm, (3.7%); p = 0.03]. The unilateral foot was comparable with contralateral unaffected foot both during and post bracing.

CONCLUSIONS: Post Ponseti treatment, inter bilateral, unilateral affected versus unaffected, bilateral versus unilateral affected feet matched in size. The overall clubfeet size especially those with bilateral disease were significantly shorter than unaffected side. The Ponseti managed unilateral foot size was comparable with unaffected foot during the bracing duration and size comparability was maintained even after bracing protocol of 3 years was over.