[Sonographic evaluation of Achilles tendon healing in tenotomies for congenital clubfoot and Ponsetis treatment. A 12-week follow-up].

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to determine the healing time of Achilles tendon in pediatric patients treated with Achilles tenotomy with the Ponseti method in Shriners Childrens Hospital of Mexico, AC.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

Experimental, analytical, prospective, longitudinal study of patients with a diagnosis of idiopathic congenital clubfoot treated with the Ponseti method with serial static and dynamic evaluation by ultrasound in real time with a Siemens Diagnostic Ultrasound System Sonoline 650, linear transducer 10.5 MHz of Achilles tendon before tenotomy and at three, six, nine and 12 weeks after the surgical treatment.

RESULTS

A sample of 23 patients, 16 male and seven female, 16 with unilateral and seven with bilateral pathology was obtained, for a total of 39 feet, 18 right and 21 left, with a mean age of 8.3 ± 2.3 months. Before tenotomy, the width was 2.7 ± 0.42 mm; in week three, the average was 3 ± 0.39 mm; at six weeks, 2.92 ± 0.36 mm; ultrasound at nine weeks reported an average of 0.38 ± 2.84 mm, and 2.82 ± 0.39 mm at twelve weeks. They were compared using Students t presurgical width and at twelve weeks, without finding difference p 0.03.

CONCLUSIONS

Although there is integrity at three weeks after Achilles tenotomy, complete repair is achieved at 12 weeks.