Is the Denis Browne Splint a Myth? A Long-Term Prospective Cohort Study in Clubfoot Management using Denis Browne Splint Versus Daily Exercise Protocol.

The Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery : Official Publication of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons
Reda Ali Sheta, Mohamed El-Sayed

Abstract

The Ponseti technique is successful in idiopathic clubfoot management. However, the leading cause of relapse and recurrence is nonadherence to the Denis Brown bracing protocol. This necessitates more extensive soft tissue surgeries. Based on a detailed up-to-date search, we have found that no other studies provide such a modified Ponseti technique. This study is unique, as it depends on using specific stretching exercises instead of bracing during management. Between August 2009 and June 2019, a consecutive series of 194 isolated idiopathic clubfoot patients (251 feet) were included in this study. The mean follow-up was 93 months (range 72 to 146), mean 91.8 months. All patients underwent a clinical and functional assessment using the Laaveg-Ponseti score and radiological assessments. There were 132 boys (68.1%) and 62 girls (31.9%), a male-to-female ratio of 2:1. The mean age at initiation of treatment was 14.9 days. According to the Laaveg-Ponseti score, 51.7% yielded excellent results, 35.3% yielded good results, 11.55% yielded fair results, and 1.59% yielded poor results. Bracing noncompliance has been identified as a major cause for treatment failure. This presented exercise protocol not only eliminates the need for bracin...Continue Reading

Citations

May 16, 2020·The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews·Shadi BinaKelly Gray

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

Birth Defects

Birth defects encompass structural and functional alterations that occur during embryonic or fetal development and are present since birth. The cause may be genetic, environmental or unknown and can result in physical and/or mental impairment. Here is the latest research on birth defects.

Related Papers

Journal of the American Physical Therapy Association
M M KENNEDY
The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. American Volume
M BLUHM
The Journal of Pediatrics
H SOIFER, P PALEW
© 2021 Meta ULC. All rights reserved