Title: The effect of a six-week physiotherapeutic intervention in child patients with clubfoot evaluated with a change in ROM of ankle dorsiflexion and the quality of gait measured by 2D analysis. Objectives: The aim of this work was evaluation of six-week physiotherapeutic intervention focused on movement and stability improvement in child patients with clubfoot based on a change in ROM of ankle dorsiflexion and the quality of gait measured by 2D analysis. Methods: The work consists of a theoretical part, which summarizes the theoretical background to the chosen topic, and a practical part. For the purposes of the practical part, an intervention group of patients (aged from 3 to 6 years) who have already received medical treatment for clubfoot, was created. The physiotherapeutic intervention period was six weeks, during that period there were from 4 to 5 individual exercises supplemented with home exercises. At the beginning and at the end there were control measurements. The control measurements consisted of a clinical examination and a 2D analysis of gait, supplemented by a dynamometric examination of gait. Results: There were no verifiable improvements in measured parameters, especially in a combination of several factors related to both the intensity of the physiotherapeutic intervention and...

Os temas pertinentes à introdução e à difusão do Método de Ponseti para o Tratamento do pé torto congênito no Brasil são discutidos. O Método Ponseti é baseado na confecção de gessos seriados de forma específica, tenotomia do Achillis, e manutenção da correção com órtese de abdução. Este tratamento era diferente do tratamento então vigente no país, baseado em maior tempo de confecção de gessos e realização de uma cirurgia extensa do pé. A difusão do Método Ponseti é analisada de forma cronológica, com ênfase na história de sua difusão no Brasil e no mundo a partir da Universidade de Iowa, na influência da Internet, e no Programa de treinamento de ortopedistas denominado Ponseti Brasil. Dados populacionais foram utilizados como avaliação da difusão do Método Ponseti antes do Programa de Treinamento. Quatro formas de avaliação direta do impacto do Programa de Treinamento são propostas: a reação dos participantes, o questionamento dos participantes sobre sua prática clínica após um ano do Programa, a avaliação dos participantes com relação ao tratamento do pé torto em duas cidades do Programa, São Luis e Teresina, e apresentações de casuísticas de nove serviços de ortopedia brasileira em um Painel Nacional no Curso Ponseti Avançado realizado dois anos após o Programa Ponseti Brasil. Para corroborar as informações sobre difusão, as publicações em países em desenvolvimento são discutidas, como ampliações da indicação do Método Ponseti. A tendência da literatura médica sobre pé torto congênito é analisada, por bases de dados em língua inglesa e bases de dados latino-americanas, e também são revisados os anais dos congressos nacionais da Sociedade Brasileira de Ortopedia e Traumatologia (CBOT Congresso Brasileiro de Ortopedia e Traumatologia) e Congresso Brasileiro de Ortopedia Pediátrica para observar a apresentação de trabalhos sobre tratamento pelo Método Ponseti e tratamento cirúrgico do pé torto. A difusão também é discutida em outros países, organizações não governamentais, com relação à visão dos pais e com relação aos custos do tratamento. A difusão do Método no Brasil é considerada na fase de expansão, e sua discussão pode trazer elementos que auxiliem a incorporação dessa tecnologia no Sistema Único de Saúde / Introduction and diifusion of Ponseti Method for congenital clubfoot treatment in Brazil are discussed. Ponseti Method is based on specific serial casting, Achillis tenotomy and use of abduction brace to maintain correction. This was different from standard treatment in Brazil at that time, based in many more months of serial casting and an extensive foot surgery. The Ponseti Method difusion is analized in a cronologic manner, with focus in the history of its difusion in Brazil and in the world, beginning in University of Iowa. Internet influence is discussed, as well as the Program Ponseti Brasil for training orthopaedic surgeons in Ponseti clubfoot treatment. Populational data were used to evaluate Ponseti Method difusion, before the Training Program. Four manners of direct evaluation of the impact of the Training Program are presented: the participants´reaction, enquiries about clinical practice with Ponseti Method after one year, evaluation of the impact of the Training Program in two cities, São Luis and Tesesina, and case series presentations of nine Brazilian Orthopaedic Clinics in a national panel in the Advanced Ponseti Course, two years after the Training ProgramPonseti Brasil. To reinforce information about difusion, publications in developing countries are discussed, extending indications for use of the Ponseti Method. Tendencies of medical literature about clubfoot treatment were analized, through written english and latinoamerican databases, and proceedings of two national meetings Brazilian Orthopaedic Meeting and Brazilian Pediatric Orthopaedic Meeting were revised to evaluate presentations about clubfoot treatment (Ponseti and surgical). Difusion is also discussed in other countries, non governamental organizations, related to parents perspective, and related to costs of treatment. Difusion of Ponseti Method is considered in expansion phase, and its discussion can help in the incorporation of this tecnology into the SUS (Sistema Único de Saúde Brazilian Health System)

Reoccurrence of deformity can affect upwards of 64% of children with clubfoot. The ability to use foot function as a measure of reoccurrence has not been previously assessed. The purpose of this investigation was to utilize foot pressure analysis to predict the probability of reoccurrence in children with unilateral clubfoot. Retrospective foot pressure data revealed predictive algorithms detecting the probability of experiencing any type of reoccurrence (overall reoccurrence) and for experiencing a tibialis anterior tendon transfer (TATT). The equation for overall reoccurrence reported sensitivity and specificity of 0.82 and 0.81 and the equation for TATT reported values of 0.81 and 0.84. These algorithms were then applied prospectively to a cohort of children with unilateral clubfoot. Interim sensitivity and specificity results at a 1.5-year follow-up demonstrate that the equations for overall reoccurrence and TATT were highly specific but not sensitive (0.84, 0.73 specificity; 0.11, 0 sensitivity). This is an indication that these algorithms were more accurate when identifying the absence of reoccurrence. However, these results may change as the prospective subjects continue to age. Overall, the results of this investigation show that foot pressure analysis can predict the presence/absence of reoccurrence. The algorithms developed herein have the potential to improve long and short-term outcomes for children with clubfoot. Providing clinicians with the probability of reoccurrence will improve their ability to be proactive during the treatment decision making process.

The overall aim of this thesis on congenital clubfoot was to estimate the incidence with a national perspective, analyse residual deformities and their management, and evaluate patient reported long-term quality of life and foot function. Paper I was a prospective, nationwide sampling of 280 children with congenital clubfoot during 1995-96. The average incidence was 1.4‰. There was regional heterogeneity but no seasonal variation. Paper II evaluated ultrasonography on 54 newborn, prospectively followed up to 12 months of age. Significant increase of medial malleolus to navicular distance (MM-N-distance) and of soft tissue thickness with increasing age was seen and with acceptable reliability. Paper III assessed 35 children (47 feet) after previous posterior release, mean age of 4.5 years, and the MM-N-distance was shorter in unilateral clubfeet (21 patients) than in contralateral normal feet. No association between navicular position and forefoot adduction (FFA) was determined. Smaller FFA yielded better subjective and functional outcome. Paper IV reviewed distraction treatment with Ilizarov External Fixator in seven patients (10 feet), 6-15 years of age, with relapsed deformities. All patients, except one, reported satisfaction with the overall result but less stiffness was experienced in only 4/10 feet. Paper V evaluated self-estimated outcome in 83 patients (63 males, 20 females), mean age of 64 years, through SF-36 and EQ-5D, and through AAOS foot and ankle score. Age and gender adjusted norm groups were used. Female patients scored worse than male patients did. Both males and females reported negative influence on foot and ankle function. Conclusion: The incidence of congenital clubfoot in Sweden is higher than in previous Scandinavian studies. Ultrasonography is reliable for describing pathoanatomy of the talo-navicular joint in clubfeet and can detect "spurious" (false) correction. Distraction treatment with the Ilizarov External Fixator yields subjective improvement but stiffness remains. Long-term influence on daily life activities is limited to foot and ankle function for both genders, but only female patients report negative influence on physical aspects of quality of life.

The area of the care of a Clubfoot (pes equinovarus congenitus PEC Clubfoot) Diagnosed Child is the topic of this Paper. Currently, the PEC is the second most frequent congenital deformity within orthopaedics. The theoretical part of this Paper deals with a description of the PEC, its diagnostics, cure and a possible risk of relapse. A sub-chapter of the Paper introduces the Achilleus association, which is the only body in the Czech Republic bringing together parents of PEC diagnosed children. The Paper also focuses on nurses and their role(s) in the nursing care of PEC diagnosed children. The empirical part of this Paper covers a research with the following directions: - parental knowledge of PEC diagnosed children care at home; - specifications of the nursing care of PEC diagnosed children; - nurses and their educational role (if fulfilled) in the nursing care of PEC diagnosed children. The research presented in the empirical part of the Paper was based on a semi-structuralized interview and open coding technique. The interviews were conducted with parents of PEC diagnosed children and care providing nurses who also play an important educational role in this matter. The benefit of the Paper, based on collected research data, is to provide a complete overview on the problems relating to the care of PEC diagnosed children. The outcome is supposed to be also presented to appropriate expert public for further consideration. The research outcome presents that the level of parental knowledge of the PEC diagnosed children care at home is very high and that parents provide their children with a quality care. The Paper describes that specifications of the nursing care of PEC diagnosed children are mainly evident in appropriate and consistent education of parents as the homecare is usually a long-term process. Finally, the Paper also shows that nurses in their educational role in the nursing care of PEC diagnosed children do not fulfil their tasks to such an extent that is expected.

Os temas pertinentes à introdução e à difusão do Método de Ponseti para o Tratamento do pé torto congênito no Brasil são discutidos. O Método Ponseti é baseado na confecção de gessos seriados de forma específica, tenotomia do Achillis, e manutenção da correção com órtese de abdução. Este tratamento era diferente do tratamento então vigente no país, baseado em maior tempo de confecção de gessos e realização de uma cirurgia extensa do pé. A difusão do Método Ponseti é analisada de forma cronológica, com ênfase na história de sua difusão no Brasil e no mundo a partir da Universidade de Iowa, na influência da Internet, e no Programa de treinamento de ortopedistas denominado Ponseti Brasil. Dados populacionais foram utilizados como avaliação da difusão do Método Ponseti antes do Programa de Treinamento. Quatro formas de avaliação direta do impacto do Programa de Treinamento são propostas: a reação dos participantes, o questionamento dos participantes sobre sua prática clínica após um ano do Programa, a avaliação dos participantes com relação ao tratamento do pé torto em duas cidades do Programa, São Luis e Teresina, e apresentações de casuísticas de nove serviços de ortopedia brasileira em um Painel Nacional no Curso Ponseti Avançado realizado dois anos após o Programa Ponseti Brasil. Para corroborar as informações sobre difusão, as publicações em países em desenvolvimento são discutidas, como ampliações da indicação do Método Ponseti. A tendência da literatura médica sobre pé torto congênito é analisada, por bases de dados em língua inglesa e bases de dados latino-americanas, e também são revisados os anais dos congressos nacionais da Sociedade Brasileira de Ortopedia e Traumatologia (CBOT Congresso Brasileiro de Ortopedia e Traumatologia) e Congresso Brasileiro de Ortopedia Pediátrica para observar a apresentação de trabalhos sobre tratamento pelo Método Ponseti e tratamento cirúrgico do pé torto. A difusão também é discutida em outros países, organizações não governamentais, com relação à visão dos pais e com relação aos custos do tratamento. A difusão do Método no Brasil é considerada na fase de expansão, e sua discussão pode trazer elementos que auxiliem a incorporação dessa tecnologia no Sistema Único de Saúde / Introduction and diifusion of Ponseti Method for congenital clubfoot treatment in Brazil are discussed. Ponseti Method is based on specific serial casting, Achillis tenotomy and use of abduction brace to maintain correction. This was different from standard treatment in Brazil at that time, based in many more months of serial casting and an extensive foot surgery. The Ponseti Method difusion is analized in a cronologic manner, with focus in the history of its difusion in Brazil and in the world, beginning in University of Iowa. Internet influence is discussed, as well as the Program Ponseti Brasil for training orthopaedic surgeons in Ponseti clubfoot treatment. Populational data were used to evaluate Ponseti Method difusion, before the Training Program. Four manners of direct evaluation of the impact of the Training Program are presented: the participants´reaction, enquiries about clinical practice with Ponseti Method after one year, evaluation of the impact of the Training Program in two cities, São Luis and Tesesina, and case series presentations of nine Brazilian Orthopaedic Clinics in a national panel in the Advanced Ponseti Course, two years after the Training ProgramPonseti Brasil. To reinforce information about difusion, publications in developing countries are discussed, extending indications for use of the Ponseti Method. Tendencies of medical literature about clubfoot treatment were analized, through written english and latinoamerican databases, and proceedings of two national meetings Brazilian Orthopaedic Meeting and Brazilian Pediatric Orthopaedic Meeting were revised to evaluate presentations about clubfoot treatment (Ponseti and surgical). Difusion is also discussed in other countries, non governamental organizations, related to parents perspective, and related to costs of treatment. Difusion of Ponseti Method is considered in expansion phase, and its discussion can help in the incorporation of this tecnology into the SUS (Sistema Único de Saúde Brazilian Health System)

Idiopathic clubfoot causes severe deformity of the foot and lower leg. Due to the complex anatomy and small size of the foot, the condition is difficult to define and describe. This study focused on 3D modeling of different foot positions associated with clubfoot relapse, and investigation of muscle parameters. The 3D modeling was performed in the AnyBody Modeling System to retrieve information about muscle length. Musculoskeletal modeling could provide further understanding of the condition and contribute to assessment and treatment evaluation. Five children that received clubfoot treatment as infants, and five typically developing children, serving as a control group, participated in the study. Despite treatment with the Ponseti method, Achilles tenotomy and use of an abduction orthosis, all participants of the clubfoot group showed signs of relapse. In total, seven affected legs were studied. Data from gait analyses of all participants were compiled and interpreted in the AnyBody Modeling System. The Plug-in-Gait Model for lower extremities and the Oxford Foot Model were used as marker protocol for the study. Studied lower leg muscles were Gastrocnemius Lateralis, Gastrocnemius Medialis, Soleus Lateralis and Soleus Medialis. Muscle length, defined as length of contractile element, for each leg and participant were evaluated using the AnyBody model template LowerExtremity. Compared to the control group, the models of the clubfoot group presented shorter mean muscle lengths of all investigated muscles. / Idiopatisk klumpfot orsakar allvarlig deformation av fot och underben. På grund av fotens anatomi och ringa storlek kan tillståndet vara svårt att beskriva och definiera. Denna studie innefattade 3Dmodellering av olika fotpositioner orakade av recidivklumpfot, för att undersöka muskelegenskaper. AnyBody Modeling System användes för att generera 3D-modeller och ta fram information om muskellängd. Muskuloskeletal modellering skulle kunna öka förståelsen för sjukdomen och bidra till förbättringar av initial bedömning och utvärdering av behandling. Fem barn som behandlades för klumpfot efter födseln deltog i studien. Även fem typiskt utvecklade barn medverkade och fungerade som en kontrollgrupp. Trots behandling med Ponseti-metoden, hälseneförlängning och användning av abduktionsortos, uppvisade samtliga barn i klumpfotsgruppen tecken på återfall. Totalt studerades sju ben med recidivklumpfot. Data från gånganalyser av deltagarna sammanställdes och analyserades i AnyBody Modeling System. Plug-in-Gait Model för nedre extremiteter och Oxford Foot Model användes som markörprotokoll. Under studien analyserades underbensmusklerna Gastrocnemius Lateralis, Gastrocnemius Medialis, Soleus Lateralis och Soleus Medialis. Muskellängd (längd av kontraktilelement) för varje patient och ben beräknades med hjälp av modellmallen LowerExtremity i AnyBody Modeling System. Jämfört med kontrollgruppen visade klumpfotsgruppen kortare medelmuskellängder för samtliga av de analyserade musklerna.