Kinematic Gait Impairments in Children with Clubfeet Treated by the Ponseti Method: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Being aware of possible gait impairments in Ponseti-treated clubfoot children might be useful for optimizing initial and additional treatment. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to identify kinematic gait abnormalities in children with clubfoot treated with the Ponseti method (with and without relapse).

Methods: A systematic search was conducted.

The relation between clinical and objective gait scores in clubfoot patients with and without a relapse.

Background: Objective gait analysis that fully captures the multi-segmental foot movement of a clubfoot may help in early identification of a relapse clubfoot. Unfortunately, this type of objective measure is still lacking in a clinical setting and it is unknown how it relates to clinical assessment.

Research Question: The aim of this study was to identify differences in total gait and foot deviations between clubfoot patients with and without a relapse clubfoot and to evaluate their relationship with clinical status.

Muscle-tendon properties and functional gait outcomes in clubfoot patients with and without a relapse compared to typically developing children.

Background: Altered muscle-tendon properties in clubfoot patients could play a role in the occurrence of a relapse and negatively affect physical functioning. However, there is a lack of literature about muscle-tendon properties of clubfoot relapse patients.

Research Question: The aim of this study was to determine whether the muscle architecture of the medial gastrocnemius and the morphology of the Achilles tendon differ between typically developing children (TDC) and clubfoot patients with and without a relapse clubfoot and to determine the relationships between morphological and functional gait outcomes.

Forefoot adduction and forefoot supination as kinematic indicators of relapse clubfoot.

Background: Understanding the kinematic characteristics of relapse clubfoot compared to successfully treated clubfoot could aid early identification of a relapse and improve treatment planning. The usage of a multi segment foot model is essential in order to grasp the full complexity of the multi-planar and multi-joint deformity of the clubfoot.

Research Question: The purpose of this study was to identify differences in foot kinematics, using a multi-segment foot model, during gait between patients with Ponseti treated clubfoot with and without a relapse and age-matched healthy controls.

Gait kinetics in children with clubfeet treated surgically or with the Ponseti method: A meta-analysis.

Background: Currently, the Ponseti method is the gold standard for treatment of clubfeet. For long-term functional evaluation of this method, gait analysis can be performed. Previous studies have assessed gait differences between Ponseti treated clubfeet and healthy controls.