Anthropometric study of patients treated for clubfoot.

The anthropometric characteristics of patients treated for clubfoot were used to investigate whether the dimensions of the foot were affected by the method of treatment. A total of 68 patients followed up for an average of 9 years were divided into three groups: group 1, conservatively treated; group 2, surgically treated; group 3, conservatively treated on one side and surgically treated on the other. The following average discrepancies in foot length were obtained: group 1, 0.91 cm; group 2, 1.5 cm; group 3, 1.09 cm. Toe lengths were shorter to the same extent as the other dimensions of the foot. These discrepancies were statistically significant. The following average discrepancies in foot width were obtained: group 1, 0.05 cm; group 2, 0.37 cm; group 3, 0.054 cm; these were insignificant. The authors believe that the degree of discrepancy may depend not solely on the method, but on the severity of the deformity as well.