Background: Naviculectomy was originally described for resistant congenital vertical talus deformity but was later expanded to use in rigid cavus deformity. This study reviews the operative outcomes of complete excision of the navicular for recurrent deformity in the talipes equinovarus (TEV) population. Methods: After institutional review board approval, all patients undergoing naviculectomy at a single institution were identified. Clinical, radiographic, and pedobarographic data (minimum 2 years’ follow-up) were reviewed. Results: Twelve patients (14 feet) with TEV from 1984 to 2019 were included. All feet had minimum 1 prior operative intervention on the affected foot (mean age = 4.0 years, range 0.2-14.5), with 8/14 having at least 3 prior operative procedures. Complete navicular excision with concomitant procedures was performed in all patients (mean age = 11.7 years, range 5.5-16.1). Mean clinical follow-up from naviculectomy was 5.1 years (range, 2.2-11.2). During follow-up, 6 patients required subsequent surgery, most often secondary to pain and progressive deformity. One patient underwent elective below-knee amputation of the affected extremity. Of the remaining 11 patients, 7 of 11 reported continued pain and 8 of 11 maintained adequate range of motion at the ankle at the most recent follow-up. Conclusion: Clinical follow-up demonstrated deteriorating results in a large percentage of patients. The high rate of additional procedures and continued pain in the current series suggests that even as a salvage procedure, naviculectomy may not provide adequate results for patients. Level of Evidence: Level IV, case series.

O pé torto congênito idiopático é a deformidade congênita de maior prevalência na ortopedia. Estudos da locomoção podem favorecer condutas na reabilitação de crianças com tal disfunção. Neste trabalho foram analisados parâmetros biomecânicos da marcha e do salto vertical com contra-movimento, além do estudo do limiar de percepção plantar de crianças com pé torto congênito, tratadas cirurgicamente. Para análise dos resultados, foram utilizados testes estatísticos não paramétricos. Não foram identificadas alterações na sensibilidade plantar. Apesar da semelhança das curvas médias de força, variação angular e eletromiografia, as variáveis biomecânicas mostraram diferenças. Na marcha, as crianças com pé torto mostraram maior taxa de crescimento para o primeiro pico da força vertical; no apoio médio, maiores flexão do joelho e dorsiflexão do tornozelo, e menor força vertical; na fase de propulsão, menores força ântero-posterior, segundo pico da força vertical e flexão plantar. Enquanto que as mesmas crianças mostraram na fase de preparação do salto vertical, menor dorsiflexão; na impulsão, maior flexão do joelho e menores flexão plantar, força vertical e atividade do músculo gastrocnêmio medial; e na aterrissagem, maior taxa de crescimento da força vertical, menor flexão plantar e maior flexão do joelho. O entendimento de como o sistema locomotor opera durante as atividades analisadas pode contribuir para direcionamentos relacionados com os estímulos adequados de atividades físicas para essas crianças / Idiopathic clubfoot is the most prevalent congenital deformity in orthopedics. Locomotion studies in children with such a deformity can help towards better rehabilitation. The aim of this study was to analyze the gait and countermovement jump biomechanics, and to describe the perception threshold in children with congenital clubfoot who have been surgically treated. For data analysis, non-parametric statistical tests were applied. Changes in plantar sensitivity were not found. Despite similar force, kinematics, and electromyography curves along groups, it was found differences for some biomechanical variables. For gait, children with clubfoot showed higher vertical force increase to the first peak. At midstance, they showed higher knee flexion and ankle dorsiflexion, and lower vertical force. At toe off, they presented lower anterior-posterior force, second vertical force peak, and plantar flexion. For jump, during the preparation phase, they presented smaller dorsiflexion; during propulsion, they showed larger knee flexion and smaller plantar flexion, vertical force and m medial gastrocnemius activity. In landing, there was a higher vertical force growth rate, less plantar flexion, and larger knee flexion. The understanding of how the locomotion system work contributes to choose the best stimuli to be applied during physical activity for those children

The availability of online support communities creates new opportunities for caregivers of children affected by health conditions to manage their illness-related uncertainty. This dissertation includes two studies that examined the presence of uncertainty management behaviors in online interactions among parents (caregivers) of children with clubfeet, and empirically tested the applicability of the uncertainty management theory to online behaviors. The Uncertainty Management Theory provided the theoretical foundation for both studies. For the first study, a content analysis of messages exchanged in an online support community dedicated to parents of children with clubfeet was conducted. Most messages were authored by women. The majority of the emotions expressed in the messages were positive. The most frequent information-seeking behaviors were direct questioning and self-disclosure. Information exchanges as a strategy to manage uncertainty included names of health care professionals and medical information. Five major types of social support (informational, tangible, network, esteem, and emotional) were identified. Informational support was the most frequent type of support provided, followed by emotional and esteem support. A third of the messages included combinations of two or more types of social support. For the second study an online survey was distributed using a snow-balling technique. Based on the survey data structural equation modeling was used to empirically test the uncertainty management framework. Positive relationships were identified between knowledge and information seeking, information seeking and social support, social support and sense of virtual community, uncertainty and stress. The results suggested that the uncertainty management theory may need to be adapted for use in online contexts. Uncertainty seems to be an important part of the experience of parents caring for children with clubfoot. Online communities dedicated to these parents represent a promising setting for studying illness-related uncertainty and its potential causes. Such studies can be a critical source of information to inform priorities for research and practice. This dissertation is the first step in better understanding the audience and provides an initial exploration of uncertainty management and communication processes present in an online support community. As we learn more about the parent audience, the importance of communicating with them becomes increasingly clear.

O pé torto congênito idiopático é a deformidade congênita de maior prevalência na ortopedia. Estudos da locomoção podem favorecer condutas na reabilitação de crianças com tal disfunção. Neste trabalho foram analisados parâmetros biomecânicos da marcha e do salto vertical com contra-movimento, além do estudo do limiar de percepção plantar de crianças com pé torto congênito, tratadas cirurgicamente. Para análise dos resultados, foram utilizados testes estatísticos não paramétricos. Não foram identificadas alterações na sensibilidade plantar. Apesar da semelhança das curvas médias de força, variação angular e eletromiografia, as variáveis biomecânicas mostraram diferenças. Na marcha, as crianças com pé torto mostraram maior taxa de crescimento para o primeiro pico da força vertical; no apoio médio, maiores flexão do joelho e dorsiflexão do tornozelo, e menor força vertical; na fase de propulsão, menores força ântero-posterior, segundo pico da força vertical e flexão plantar. Enquanto que as mesmas crianças mostraram na fase de preparação do salto vertical, menor dorsiflexão; na impulsão, maior flexão do joelho e menores flexão plantar, força vertical e atividade do músculo gastrocnêmio medial; e na aterrissagem, maior taxa de crescimento da força vertical, menor flexão plantar e maior flexão do joelho. O entendimento de como o sistema locomotor opera durante as atividades analisadas pode contribuir para direcionamentos relacionados com os estímulos adequados de atividades físicas para essas crianças / Idiopathic clubfoot is the most prevalent congenital deformity in orthopedics. Locomotion studies in children with such a deformity can help towards better rehabilitation. The aim of this study was to analyze the gait and countermovement jump biomechanics, and to describe the perception threshold in children with congenital clubfoot who have been surgically treated. For data analysis, non-parametric statistical tests were applied. Changes in plantar sensitivity were not found. Despite similar force, kinematics, and electromyography curves along groups, it was found differences for some biomechanical variables. For gait, children with clubfoot showed higher vertical force increase to the first peak. At midstance, they showed higher knee flexion and ankle dorsiflexion, and lower vertical force. At toe off, they presented lower anterior-posterior force, second vertical force peak, and plantar flexion. For jump, during the preparation phase, they presented smaller dorsiflexion; during propulsion, they showed larger knee flexion and smaller plantar flexion, vertical force and m medial gastrocnemius activity. In landing, there was a higher vertical force growth rate, less plantar flexion, and larger knee flexion. The understanding of how the locomotion system work contributes to choose the best stimuli to be applied during physical activity for those children