Midterm results following revision surgery in clubfeet

Relapse rates of surgically treated clubfeet are about 25%. We reviewed 43 patients (57 feet) treated for relapsed clubfoot deformity between 1992 and 2001 in our department. The average age of the patients at the time of revision surgery was 5.1 years, the mean follow-up was 6.6 years. Surgical therapy was performed using an algorithm according to age groups. The mean Atar score at follow-up was 77 points, representing a good outcome. Out of 57 feet, 20 (35%) were rated excellent, 24 (42%) good, 5 (9%) fair, and 8 (14%) poor. The number of previous surgical interventions had no influence on the outcome. Using an age related surgical algorithm, good postoperative results could be achieved in most of our patients, thus improving their functional situation. This emphasises the usefulness of the proposed algorithm in the difficult situation of recurrent clubfoot, while thorough analysis of the underlying deformity remains essential.