Are bilateral idiopathic clubfeet more severe than unilateral feet? A severity and treatment analysis

Evidences suggest that different subgroups of idiopathic clubfoot exist with differences in severity and treatment outcomes. This study compares the severity and treatment outcomes of unilateral and bilateral clubfoot.

We retrospectively studied 161 patients (bilateral 66, unilateral 95) with primary idiopathic clubfeet to evaluate the differences in severity and treatment. The parameters analyzed were precasting Pirani score, number of casts required, pretenotomy Pirani score, pretenotomy dorsiflexion, rate of tenotomy, and post-tenotomy dorsiflexion achieved. A Pirani score of at least 5 was classified as very severe and 4.5 or less was classified as less severe.

There were 49=(74.24%) male and 17 (25.75%) female patients in the bilateral group and 76 (80%) male and 19 (20%) female patients in the unilateral group. Out of 95 unilateral patients, 34 were left sided (35.8%). Comparing severity, the mean precasting Pirani score in bilateral patients (5.4 ± 0.6) was statistically more than the unilateral patients (4.9 ± 0.7). The number of casts required was significantly more in bilateral feet compared to unilateral (bilateral 5.3 ± 1.7, unilateral 4.7 ± 1.7; p < 0.011). Achilles tenotomy was required in all feet. Post Ponseti treatment, the foot deformity correction achieved (pretenotomy Pirani score, pretenotomy, and post-tenotomy dorsiflexion) was statistically similar in both unilateral and bilateral feet.

Idiopathic bilateral clubfoot was more severe than unilateral foot at initial presentation and required more number of corrective casts. Post Ponseti treatment, the deformity correction in bilateral foot was similar to unilateral foot.