Surgical treatment of clubfoot: a comparison of two techniques

Between 1977 and 1989, 28 clubfeet were operated on, with follow-up ranging from 2 to 13 1/2 years and averaging 79 months. Group I (16 feet; average follow-up 104 months) underwent a modified Turco's posteromedial release. The functional result in this group was satisfactory in general, but approximately one third of this group required a secondary procedure for persistent intoeing or residual metatarsus adductus. Group II (12 feet; average follow-up 45 months) underwent a modified, complete subtalar release of McKay and Simons utilizing the Cincinnati incision. No patient in this second group required a secondary procedure. In our experience, the more complete subtalar release procedure of McKay and Simons resulted in better correction than the Turco posteromedial release. Although follow-up in group II was much shorter than that in group I, we felt that 2 years of minimum follow-up in group II was meaningful, since most of the recurrence or residual deformities were noticed within 18 months after surgery. The Cincinnati incision allowed better exposure and a more complete release. Skin flap necrosis was not a problem in this series.