Effect of Saleem's Protocol on Foot Deformity in Congenital Talipes Equinovarus

Congenital idiopathic clubfoot, also known as congenital talipes equinovarus, is the most common serious musculoskeletal birth defect that occurs in the United States and the world. Idiopathic clubfoot occurs in otherwise normal infants and should be distinguished from syndromic clubfoot and neurogenic clubfoot, which occur in infants as part of a syndrome or neurologic condition.Clubfoot is one of the most common congenital abnormalities affecting the lower limb, it remains a challenge not only to understand its genetic origins but also to provide effective long-term treatment. Various environmental influences have been shown to increase the risk of clubfoot in that they may affect the developing foetus in different ways including via genetic alterations, deformation, or growth arrest. The incidence has been reported to rise with increased maternal alcohol consumption], smoking, and if the mothers had undergone amniocentesis especially where a leak of amniotic fluid had occurred. In a clubfoot the soft tissues are more resistant to pressure than the bones.Untreated clubfoot causes life-long impairment, affecting individuals' ability to walk and participate in society.It can be isolated or associated with other serious congenital abnormalities, especially if bilateral and severe. The ideal aim of treatment is to achieve a functional, pain-free, plantigrade foot in the long term. Pirani scoring system is one of the classification systems and is simple, easy to use in the management of clubfoot.The Pirani scoring system works by assessing six clinical signs of contracture, which may score 0 (no deformity), 0.5 (moderate deformity) or 1(severe deformity). The total score is recorded after every visit. Pirani scoring is known to be valid and reliable for providing a good forecast about the potential treatment for an individual foot, such that a higher score at presentation may indicate the requirement of a higher number of casts to correct the deformity.

Different types of conservative methods (Ponseti techniques, Kite's method, and French physical therapy method). Six to 12 numbers of casts (mean: 10) were required in ponseti method to obtain correction of clubfoot deformities. Mean period of immobilization in a cast was 13.9 weeks (10-15 weeks). However, relapses are common in severe clubfeet and are probably caused by the same pathology that initiated the deformity. The rate of recurrence after using the Ponseti method, occurring in up to 40% of patient.Compliance with the Ponseti protocol is a major problem and has a direct effect on the success of treatment. Numerous surgeons have performed complete, plantar, lateral, medial, and posterior releases with poor results.