CLUBFIT: FITness and ankle flexibility in children with CLUBfoot v.1.0
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Evaluation of physical fitness, functional ability and ankle flexibility amongst children with Ponseti treated clubfoot deformity; comparison with age-matched normative values.
IRAS ID
345431
Contact name
Christine Douglas
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Research and Innovation Centre
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 7 months, 31 days
Research summary
Clubfoot deformity presents from birth and affects one in every one thousand children. The foot and ankle are fixed into a position that will make it impossible for the child to walk normally. The Ponseti method is a very effective treatment that can correct the deformity. This uses gentle manipulation and plaster cast correction of the newborn foot, followed by a small surgical procedure and 5 years of maintenance bracing overnight. Children with Ponseti treated clubfoot are expected to present with normal levels of function following treatment. However, all have smaller calf muscles and the majority present with calf tightness through growth. It is not clear whether corrected clubfoot deformity meaningfully impacts physical fitness and flexibility.
We aim to invite 100 children with Ponseti treated clubfoot to attend a one-off research appointment at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital. We will measure their physical fitness and ankle flexibility, and compare values to published measurements from unaffected children. Children will be invited to participate in four activities.
1. A running test (Beep test): measuring physical fitness. Children will be asked to participate in a 20 metre shuttle run to maximum endurance.
2. The weightbearing lunge test: Children will be asked to stand in a lunge position to measure ankle flexibility.
3. A patient and parent questionnaire to assess aspects of living with a lower limb condition (The Oxford Ankle and Foot Questionnaire for Children).
4. A clinical assessment tool for children with corrected clubfoot (Pirani Bohm Sinclair (PBS) score): Scores are observed as the child stands and walks.
Following these assessments, results will be summarised and compared to published values from unaffected children. This will help to determine whether children with Ponseti treated clubfoot present with any deficits in terms of physical fitness and ankle flexibility and identify additional interventions that may be required.REC name
South West - Central Bristol Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/SW/0054
Date of REC Opinion
23 May 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion