Tibial Torsion in Untreated Congenital Clubfoot

Abstract

Current methods of measurement were reassessed by the study of tibial torsion in 1000 normal legs using the tropometer, the caliper and X-rays. No significant difference in the reproducibility of results was found and the simpler clinical methods appeared to be satisfactory for practical purposes. The spontaneous evolution of leg torsion in clubfoot was studied in forty-two neglected and previously untreated cases, who were seen for the first time after they had begun walking. Comparison with the torsion observed in the legs of healthy children of a corresponding age proved that untreated clubfoot is not associated with pathological torsion. The place of rotation osteotomy in the treatment of clubfoot is discussed.