Conservative treatment of idiopathic clubfoot.

Operation in the early stage of clubfoot is still a controversial issue. Twenty-five patients treated conservatively were studied at the age of 4-16 years. In 95%, the outcome was either excellent or good according to Laaveg and Ponseti's rating system. Operation appears not to be indicated when the residual varus, adductus, or intoeing is passively correctable at least to the neutral position. Residual equinus without fixed varus was correctable by serial casting in childhood. Muscle imbalances, which make maintenance of the corrected position difficult in infancy, tend to improve with growth.