Project Abstract

Project Overview

<p> Background:&nbsp;</p><p>Ponseti method is an established conservative treatment for idiopathic clubfoot in<br>children world-wide. Yet, no data are available to quantify its effectiveness for reference in Ghana.<br>Aim: To explore the effectiveness of Ponseti method in the management of clubfoot at a Tertiary<br>Health Facility in Ghana.<br>Materials and Methods: The 6-year single arm retrospective cohort study involved a review of<br>clinical folders of babies with club feet. The age range of the children was between 0 and 6 months.<br>They were managed using Ponseti method from 2008 to 2013 at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital<br>Clubfoot Clinic. Demographic data and Pirani scores were retrieved from their folders. Pirani scores<br>served as evaluation index through which the treatment outcome of the Ponseti method was evaluated. Data were gleaned to descriptive and interferential statistics.<br>Results: A total of 271 folders of children with club foot were retrieved and reviewed. An average of<br>5 casts was applied to correct a child’s club foot deformity prior to the prescription of Foot Abduction<br>Brace. Pirani score for mid-foot was significantly lower than that of the hind-foot whilst males had<br>significantly higher number of casts than the female. The number of casts required for correction<br>was positively correlated with the age of the children (r=0.346) and their Pirani scores (r= 0.514,<br>right foot; r= 0.415, left foot).<br>Conclusion: Ponseti method is effective in the management of clubfoot whilst age and initial Pirani<br>scores were the determinants of the number of casts required and indication for tenotomy<br>respectively. <br></p>