Abstract
Objectives
In literature, there is very little data of prospective randomized trials comparing Ponseti and Kite methods for clubfoot treatment. The goal of this study was to compare the results of two different protocols (Ponseti and Kite) for the treatment of idiopathic clubfoot.
Method
Ponseti's and Kite's methods of conservative management in idiopathic congenital clubfoot were compared in a prospective randomized study consisting of 100 infants (150 ft) younger than 3 months. There were 76- and 74-ft infants that underwent treatment by Ponseti's and Kite's methods, respectively.
Results
After an average follow-up of 36.2 months in the Ponseti group, correction was achieved in 73 ft (96 %), with only three patients requiring surgical management. There were ten relapses (13.2 %); all of which were corrected conservatively. However, two of these required surgical intervention on showing a relapse again in the second year. In the Kite group, we achieved correction in 55 ft (74.3 %) after an average follow-up of 35.1 months, with 19 patients requiring surgical intervention. There were ten relapses of which only five could be corrected conservatively. Both groups were reviewed by blinded reviewers and rated according to Pirani score.
Conclusion
We think that Ponseti's method is superior to Kite's method in achieving correction in idiopathic clubfeet in a relatively shorter time.
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Conflict of interest
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