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Published on: February 5, 2019
Osteopathic manipulative treatment of congenital talipes equinovarus: a case report
Elda Andreoli1, Andrea Troiani2, Valentina Tucci2
1Postgraduate School of Orthopaedics and Traumatology Department, University G. d'Annunzio, Via dei Vestini, 31, 66100 Chieti, Italy.
Insights
This case study shows that combining serial casting with osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) effectively corrected severe bilateral congenital talipes equinovarus in a newborn. This approach offers a promising alternative for treating clubfoot deformities.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Osteopathic Medicine
Background:
- Congenital talipes equinovarus (clubfoot) is typically managed with conservative treatments.
- Current recommendations focus on non-surgical interventions for clubfoot.
Observation:
- A newborn presented with severe bilateral congenital talipes equinovarus.
- Treatment involved two series of short-leg serial casts and four osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) sessions.
- The OMT utilized indirect myofascial release techniques.
Findings:
- Complete correction of the clubfoot deformity was achieved by day 33.
- A third series of casts was not required due to successful correction.
- The combined treatment approach demonstrated significant efficacy.
Implications:
- This case report suggests OMT may be a valuable adjunct to serial casting for clubfoot.
- The findings support further investigation of OMT in clinical trials for congenital talipes equinovarus.
- This approach may offer a more efficient correction pathway for clubfoot.
Background:
Treatment recommendations for congenital talipes equinovarus are focused on conservative treatments.
Objectives:
The aim of this paper is to present a case report of bilateral congenital talipes equinovarus treated with two short-leg serial casting in combination with osteopathic manipulative treatment.
Methods:
A newborn, 12 days old, with severe bilateral congenital talipes equinovarus entered to the Department of Orthopedics at the University of Chieti, Italy. The pediatric orthopedic surgeon applied two single series of short-leg casts, at 12 and 20 days of age. The osteopath scheduled 4 indirect myofascial release techniques sessions.
Results:
At day 33 the newborn achieved a complete correction of the congenital talipes equinovarus deformity and there was no need to apply a third series of casts.
Conclusions:
Results from this single case study create an interesting and clear precedent for considering OMT in future clinical trials.
