The history of treatment of congenital clubfoot at the Royal Liverpool Children's Hospital: improvement of results by early extensive posteromedial release.

The results of treatment in 77 clubfeet were assessed after an average follow-up of 8 years. In those patients with surgical treatment it was found that the Turco posteromedial release within the first 3 months of life resulted in 13 of 16 satisfactory feet. In comparison, only five of 21 feet had satisfactory results when the average age of operation was delayed to 3.7 years and a less extensive release performed. At follow-up, abnormal radiological findings were not found in the early operated cases. The average talocalcaneal index was 47 degrees. The late operated feet showed major abnormal X-ray film findings, and their average index was 38 degrees. Good functional results, however, often coexisted with abnormal radiological findings in the midfoot. Abnormal findings of the hindfoot were always associated with unsatisfactory results. We conclude that the use of early (3 months) Turco posteromedial release can offer excellent results in treating severe resistant clubfeet.