Clubfeet in congenital annular constricting bands

Thirty-five children who had congenital annular constricting bands (Streeter's dysplasia) with associated clubfeet seen by the author from September 1989 to March 1992 were reviewed with respect to quality of the clubfeet,the relationship of the bands with the clubfeet, possible prenatal factors, and treatment results. It was noted that all the clubfeet were rigid even if there were no constricting bands in the leg with the clubfoot. The clubfeet responded poorly to casting (6% success) and 77% required surgical correction. Z-plasties of deep bands were done before clubfoot correction. There was a high incidence of abnormal pregnancies with attempts at abortion in 66% of the cases, suggesting intrauterine insult early in the pregnancy as a factor causing both the clubfeet and the Streeter's dysplasia.