Ponseti-Based Hybrid Approach for Bilateral Teratologic Clubfoot With Congenital Peroneal Nerve Dysfunction: A Case...

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Pediatric Surgery
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Clubfoot is a common congenital deformity.
• Peroneal nerve dysfunction can complicate clubfoot treatment.
• The Ponseti method is a standard non-surgical approach for clubfoot.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a novel treatment approach for complex clubfoot.
• To investigate tendon regeneration after surgical release in infants.

Main Methods:

• A newborn with bilateral clubfoot and peroneal nerve dysfunction was treated.
• Initial correction involved multiple tenotomies (Achilles, posterior tibialis, FDL, FHL).
• Recurrent equinus deformity was addressed with posterior soft tissue release.

Main Results:

• Initial correction was achieved with tenotomies.
• Complete regeneration of all transected tendons was observed during the soft tissue release.
• The combined approach led to successful deformity correction.

Conclusions:

• A Ponseti-based approach combined with selective open soft-tissue release is valuable for complex clubfoot.
• Spontaneous regeneration of flexor tendons after complete tenotomy in infancy is possible.
• This case expands understanding of tendon healing and reconstructive options in pediatric orthopedics.