Assessment of the ankle joint in clubfeet and normal feet to the age of four years by ultrasonography

A four-year clinical and sonographic longitudinal follow-up of clubfeet treated according to Ponseti with normal references

Purpose

To follow children with a clubfoot by ultrasonography during the entire treatment period up to 4 years and compare with controls.

Method

Thirty clubfeet in 20 children treated using the Ponseti method and 29 controls were followed by repeated ultrasonography investigations from neonates to the age of 4 years. The previously established coronal medial and lateral, sagittal dorsal and posterior projections were used. Changes over time, correlations to the Diméglio score, and the course of treatment were studied.

Results

The medial malleolus-navicular distance was shorter, while the talar tangent-navicular distance and the talo-navicular angle were larger in clubfeet than in controls even after the initial correction. The healthy feet in unilateral cases did not differ significantly from the controls. The range of motion in the talo-navicular joint was approximately 20° less in clubfeet than in controls during the first four years of life. The medial malleolus-navicular distance (r = -0.58) and the talo-navicular angle (r = 0.66) at the first ultrasonography showed the highest correlation to the number of casts needed to correct the deformities.

Conclusion

Ultrasonography can be used to evaluate the initial degree of deformities in clubfeet and to follow the progress of the treatment and growth. Ultrasonography showed a clear difference between clubfeet and controls during the first four years of life. Although it was not possible to define specific limit values as benchmarks in the treatment, dynamic ultrasonography can provide valuable support in the decision-making process when complementary treatment may be needed.

Level of evidence

III.

Effectiveness of Needle Tenotomy for Correction of Equinus in Clubfoot

INTRODUCTION

During the COVID-19 surge, due to a lack of operating room availability, we performed Achilles tendon tenotomy in clubfoot patients using a 16/18 gauge needle to avoid delay in their management. The procedures were performed on an outpatient basis. The current retrospective study aims to investigate the effectiveness of needle tenotomy for the correction of equinus in clubfoot at a minimum of one year of follow-up.

METHODS

Clinical records of all clubfoot patients that underwent needle tenotomy of Achilles tendon from March 2020 onwards with at least one year of follow-up were reviewed. We recorded Pirani scores and the equinus deformity at the initial presentation, after Achilles tendon tenotomy, and at the final follow-up. We also recorded any procedure-related complications following the Achilles tendon tenotomy. We compared dorsiflexion after final cast removal and after one year of follow-up.

RESULTS

A total of 26 clubfeet in 14 patients underwent needle tenotomy of the Achilles tendon and completed one year of follow-up. Ankle dorsiflexion was achievable in all patients and the mean dorsiflexion of 27.4 degrees. The average Pirani score after tenotomy at final cast removal was 0.16, while the mean dorsiflexion at final cast removal was 24.2 degrees (p = .00084). No tenotomy procedure-related complications were noted.

CONCLUSION

Percutaneous needle tenotomy of the Achilles tendon is a simple, safe, and effective technique for equinus correction in clubfoot. Considering the less invasive nature of the procedure, it can be done as a short procedure on an outpatient basis and has a limited risk of hemorrhage and other wound-related complications.

The diagnostic dilemma of congenital foot deformity in pediatrics: could adding ultrasound be problem solving?

Background

Foot deformity is one of the most common congenital musculoskeletal anomalies in the pediatric age group. Accurate diagnosis can be sometimes impossible to be established clinically. In the assessment of foot abnormalities, radiology plays a crucial role. Lack of ossification of the tarsal bones renders plain radiographs of the foot as of little diagnostic value in this age group. MRI apart from its cost requires anesthesia and sedation. In contrast, ultrasonography allows for the imaging of cartilaginous structures. As a result, newborn foot abnormalities can be thoroughly assessed. The whole anatomy of the foot is evaluated using several scanning views. Additional planes may be needed to show the pathologic features of a specific deformity. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the additive value of ultrasound to plain radiographs in the assessment of foot deformities in the pediatric age group.

Results

This case–control study was performed on sixty children, 30 of which were patients admitted from the pediatric orthopedic clinic, presenting with foot deformity, after being examined clinically. Antero-posterior and lateral radiographs of foot, tibiocalcaneal, antero-posterior talocalcaneal, and lateral talocalcaneal angles were measured. Sonographic examination was done in different projections of both feet, while the patient is lying supine with dynamic sonography. The sonographic parameters measured were as follows: medial malleolar–navicular distance and medial soft tissue thickness on medial projection, calcaneocuboid distance on lateral projection, talonavicular relation on dorsal projection, and tibiocalcaneal distance on posterior projection. There was a statistically significant difference between patients and controls in the medial malleolar–navicular distance and medial soft tissue thickness measured on the medial view, the calcaneocuboid distance recorded on the lateral view, and the tibiocalcaneal distance measured on the posterior view.

Conclusions

Ultrasonography has a growing and useful role as a complementary imaging modality in the evaluation and follow-up of pediatric patients with foot deformity.

The twisted structure of the fetal calcaneal tendon is already visible in the second trimester

INTRODUCTION

The progress in morphological science results from the greater possibilities of intra-pubic diagnosis and treatment of congenital disabilities, including the motor system. However, the structure and macroscopic development of the calcaneal tendon have not been investigated in detail. Studies on the adult calcaneal tendon showed that the calcaneal tendon is composed of twisted subtendons. This study aimed to investigate the internal structure of the fetal calcaneal tendon in the second trimester.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty-six fetuses fixed in 10% formaldehyde were dissected using the layer-by-layer method and a surgical microscope.

RESULTS

The twisted structure of the calcaneal tendon was revealed in all specimens. The posterior layer of the calcaneal tendon is formed by the subtendon from the medial head of the gastrocnemius muscle. In contrast, the anterior layer is formed by the subtendon from the lateral head of the gastrocnemius muscle. The subtendon from the soleus muscle constitutes the anteromedial outline of the calcaneal tendon. The lateral outline of the calcaneal tendon is formed by the subtendon originating from the medial head of the gastrocnemius muscle. In contrast, the medial outline is formed by the subtendon from the soleus muscle. In most of the examined limbs, the plantaris tendon attached to the tuber calcanei was not directly connected to the calcaneal tendon.

CONCLUSIONS

The twisted structure of the subtendons of the fetal calcaneal tendon is already visible in the second trimester and is similar to that seen in adults.