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.

Participation and Motor Abilities in Children Aged 5 to 9 Years With Idiopathic Clubfeet After Treatment With the Ponseti Method.

Background: Functioning in children consists of different aspects, including their ability to execute activities and participate in life situations. Several studies on children with clubfeet showed limited motor abilities and walking capacity compared with healthy control children, while other studies showed comparable athletic abilities and gross motor development. Although participation in activities of daily life plays an important role in the development of children, this has not yet been investigated in children with clubfeet.

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.