What is the Ponseti Method?
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Clubfoot is one of the most common lower limb birth defects affecting approximately one in 1000 babies in the UK. It is a complex congenital deformity due to the abnormal development of baby’s musculoskeletal system.
The specific cause for clubfoot is not always known, but there are often many different factors involved.
If your baby is diagnosed with clubfoot and you choose for them to be seen at St George’s Hospital, they will be treated according to the Ponseti method. This is the gold standard treatment worldwide.
The five step Ponseti method is outlined below:
1.
Antenatal Counselling
Clubfoot often picked up on 20-week scan.
Sonographer/fetal medicine unit referral to Ponseti team.
Initial consultation to discuss diagnosis and plan for treatment.
2.
Casting
Weekly application of above knee plaster casts
Designed to gently manipulate and correct the foot position.
Typically, 4-6 casts in total.
3.
Achilles Tenotomy
Percutaneous Achilles tenotomy performed under local anaesthetic in clinic
Followed by a further 2-3 weeks of casts.
4.
Foot abduction brace
Foot abduction brace (boots and bars) fitted.
Worn for 23 hours a day for 12 weeks.
Following this, worn overnight (12 to 14 hours) until the age of 5.
5.
Follow up
Follow up reviews/ongoing care until skeletal maturity.
40% of patients may require further intervention before skeletal maturity (re-casting or surgery).