Modified Turco's postero-medial release for congenital talipes equino-varus

Talipes Equino-Varus (TEV) is one of the most common congenital anomaly. It is managed by various methods, i.e., conservative & surgery. Objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of modified Turco's postero-medical release in children's having congenital TEV.

This descriptive observational study was conducted from June 2004 to June 2008 in the Orthopaedics Unit of Lady Reading Hospital (LRH) Peshawar. The inclusion criteria were children of age 6 months to 3 years of age having moderate and severe club foot. The exclusion criteria were clubfoot secondary to some other disorders such as cerebral palsy, arthrogryphosis multiplex congenita, myelodysplasia or congenital dislocation of the hip. The deformity was treated by modified Turco's one stage release. Follow-up was for one year. Results were graded according to modified McKay rating system.

A total 70 patients were included in this study with the age range of 6 months to 3 years with moderate to sever deformity. Thirty-eight, were male (54.2%) and 32 patients (45.72%) were female, twenty three patients (32.85%) had bilateral club foot while the rest of 47 patients (67.15%) had unilateral deformity. Positive family history of club foot was in 10 patients (14.2%). Results were concluded on 52 patients who completed one year follow-up. Excellent results were observed in 34 patients (65.38%), good in 9 patients (17.30%), fair in 2 patients (3.84%), and poor in 7 patients (13.46%).

Children up to three years age with congenital TEV can be successfully treated in almost all the cases by modified Turco's one stage postero-medial release.