BACKGROUND The goal of treatment for pediatric idiopathic clubfoot is to enable the patient to comfortably walk on his or her soles without pain. However, currently accepted treatment protocols are not always successful. Based on the abnormal bone alignment reported in this disease, some studies have noted a correlation between radiographic characteristics and outcome, but this correlation remains debated. AIM To assess the correlation between immediately postoperative radiographic parameters and functional outcomes and to identify which best predicts functional outcome. METHODS To predict the outcome and prevent early failure of the Ponseti’s method, we used a simple radiographic method to predict outcome. Our study included newborns with idiopathic clubfoot treated with Ponseti’s protocol from November 2018 to August 2022. After Achilles tenotomy and a long leg cast were applied, the surgeon obtained a single lateral radiograph. Radiographic parameters included the tibiocalcaneal angle (TiCal), talocalcaneal angle (TaCal), talofirst metatarsal angle (Ta1st) and tibiotalar angle (TiTa). During the follow-up period, the Dimeglio score and functional score were examined 1 year after surgery. Additionally, recurring events were reported. The correlation between functional score and radiographic characteristics was analyzed using sample and multiple logistic regression, and the optimal predictor was also identified. RESULTS In total, 54 feet received approximately 8 manipulations of casting and Achilles tenotomy at a mean age of 149 days. The average TiCal, TaCal, Ta1st, and TiTa angles were 75.24, 28.96, 7.61, and 107.31 degrees, respectively. After 12 mo of follow up, we found 66% excellent-to-good and 33.3% fair-to-poor functional outcomes. The Dimeglio score significantly worsened in the poor outcome group ( P value < 0.001). Tical and TaCal showed significant differences between each functional outcome ( P value < 0.05), and the TiCal strongly correlated with outcome, with a smaller angle indicating a better outcome, each 1 degree decrease improved the functional outcome by 10 percent. The diagnostic test revealed that a TiCal angle of 70 degrees predicts an inferior functional outcome. CONCLUSION The TiCal, derived from lateral radiographs immediately after Achilles tenotomy, can predict functional outcome at 1 year postoperatively, justifying its use for screening patients who need very close follow-up.

Purpose: Patients with Legg-Calve-Perthes disease are treated to preserve the roundness of the femoral head. Surgical treatment includes the proximal femur or acetabulum operations, however, remains controversial. Herein, we investigated the clinical findings and outcomes of varus osteotomy with locking compression plate fixation. Methods: We reviewed 19 children (20 hips) with Legg-Calve-Perthes disease who underwent varus osteotomy with locking compression plate fixation at our hospital. The time to re-ossification, Stulberg classification, and Harris hip score were recorded preoperatively and at the final follow-up. Results: We included 16 boys and two girls with unilateral hip involvement and one girl with bilateral hip disease. The mean age at the time of surgery was 7.9 years. Based on the Catterall classification, one, 10, and nine patients were classified as grades II, III, and IV, respectively. All patients were followed for 33 months. The mean time to re-ossification was 167 days. At final follow-up, based on the Stulberg classification, seven, nine, and four patients were categorized as class II, III, and IV, respectively. Based on the Harris hip score, 21.1%, 47.7%, and 31.6% of patients showed excellent, good, and fair functional outcomes, respectively. The Harris hip scores at the final follow-up were significantly improved compared to preoperative values. Following adjustment for sex and disease severity, age at disease onset and time of surgery were associated with Harris hip scores. Conclusions: Varus osteotomy with locking compression plate fixation yields good results and significantly improves functional outcomes, although patient age affects the outcomes.