Factors influencing the late recurrence of clubfoot in children (5-10)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
‘An investigation of the modifiable factors influencing the late recurrence of talipes equinovarus post Ponseti treatment in children aged 5-10 years'.
IRAS ID
255152
Contact name
Nick Dobbin
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 7 days
Research summary
Talipes equinovarus, commonly known as ‘clubfoot’ is the most common congenital orthopaedic anomaly and one of the leading causes of disability in children (Abdullah, 2016). The condition is characterised by an abnormal bony development of the foetal skeleton. The foot points downwards and is turned inwards (Ošt’ádal et al., 2014). The deformity has a high response rate to initial conservative treatment of serial plasters and orthotic bracing, known as the Ponseti method (Ponseti and Campos, 2009). Occasionally further soft tissue surgery is required in children aged under five years,to complete the foot correction. However, the idiopathic nature of the condition means that there is a tendency for the original deformity to reoccur/relapse in part or in full (Tuinsma et al.,2018). At six years of age,the probability of recurrence lies at 29%(O'Shea and Sabatini. 2016). Therefore, despite initial promising treatment there is a relatively high rate of recurrence. Because the aetiology of clubfoot remains unknown for a large percentage of these children, it is difficult to identify risk factors associated with recurrence (Moon et al 2014). Regrettably, the satisfactory treatment of relapsed feet remains obscure (Chand et al., 2018). The aim of the research is to ‘define the musculoskeletal and movement characteristics of talipes equinovarus (CTEV) (known as ‘clubfoot’) in children aged 5-10yrs. post Ponseti treatment and provide insight into the potential modifiable reasons for relapse’. This is a PhD single centre study, which involves the clubfoot clinic at Manchester Children’s hospital, (MCH, 2ndry care centre) and the movement laboratory facilities at Manchester Metropolitan University. The research includes the participation of three groups of children aged between 5-10yrs. who differ in the variable of interest e.g., clubfoot relapses, non-relapses and aged matched control. All three groups will undergo calf muscle evaluation of strength, length, volume and stiffness.
REC name
Wales REC 4
REC reference
20/WA/0326
Date of REC Opinion
10 Dec 2020
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion