[Early surgery of the soft tissues in congenital clubfoot]

The role and position of early complete operative procedures on the soft tissues in the treatment of the congenital club foot is discussed in the article. The authors report on the operative indications in principles and in their own practice. Closed and operative treatment are not contradictory but complementary terms. The aim of the operative treatment is to bring all residual contractures following conservative treatment to an end. It must be done by relatively minimal intervention on the soft tissues and as early as possible. Thus the proper development of the foot and the prevention of bone deformation can be attained.