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Keywords
Accelerated Ponseti Method
Standard Ponseti Method
Idiopathic Congenital Clubfoot
Treatment Duration
Clinical Outcomes
Healthcare Visits.
Standard Ponseti Method
Idiopathic Congenital Clubfoot
Treatment Duration
Clinical Outcomes
Healthcare Visits.
How to Cite
1.
Accelerated Versus Standard Ponseti Method for Idiopathic Congenital Clubfoot: Impact on Treatment Duration, Healthcare Visits, and Clinical Outcomes. The Insight [Internet]. 2026 Aug. 26 [cited 2026 Oct. 22];9(3):690-3. Available from: https://bdjournals.org/insight/article/view/1423
Abstract
Background: Congenital idiopathic clubfoot is a common pediatric deformity affecting 1-2 per 1000 live births and can lead to long-term disability if untreated. The Ponseti method is the standard treatment, while the accelerated protocol uses more frequent cast changes to reduce treatment duration. However, evidence comparing these approaches remains limited in Bangladesh. This study aims to compare accelerated and standard Ponseti methods regarding correction outcomes, treatment efficiency, and healthcare burden. Methods & Materials: A prospective comparative study was conducted at NITOR, Dhaka, involving 30 infants with untreated idiopathic congenital clubfoot. Patients received either accelerated Ponseti (twice-weekly casts, n=15) or standard Ponseti (weekly casts, n=15) treatment following standard Ponseti principles. Outcomes assessed included number of casts required, treatment duration, healthcare visits, caregiver burden, and Pirani scores. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25.0, with p<0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: Among 30 infants, baseline demographic and clinical characteristics, including age, sex, bilateral involvement, and Pirani score, were comparable between groups. The accelerated Ponseti group showed significantly shorter treatment duration (36.4 vs. 50.8 days), fewer hospital visits (7.1 vs. 9.8), and reduced caregiver work-loss days (7.8 vs. 10.6) (p<0.001). Final Pirani scores and overall clinical outcomes were comparable between groups, demonstrating effective deformity correction with reduced treatment burden and improved convenience using the accelerated method. Conclusion: The accelerated Ponseti method provides correction outcomes comparable to the standard Ponseti method while significantly reducing treatment duration, healthcare visits, and caregiver burden. It may serve as an effective and efficient alternative for managing idiopathic congenital clubfoot.
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