OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the percutaneous Achilles tendon sectioning technique using a large gauge needle for the correction of residual equinus of congenital clubfoot treated by the Ponseti method. METHODS: Fifty-seven Achilles tendon sections were prospectively evaluated in thirty-nine patients with clubfoot, treated by the Ponseti method between July 2005 and December 2008. The tenotomy was performed percutaneously with a large gauge needle. Ultrasound scan was performed immediately after the section, to ascertain whether the tenotomy was complete, as well as stump separation. RESULTS: There was complete tendon section in all cases, but the need to perform the section maneuver more than once was common, due to the persistence of the residual strands between tendon stumps. The Thompson test and dynamic ultrasound evaluation were able to detect incomplete tenotomies. The mean ultrasound measurement of the tendon gap was 5.70 ± 2.23 mm. Two patients had abnormal bleeding, which was controlled by digital pressure and did not compromise foot perfusion. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous Achilles tendon sectioning with a needle proved to be efficient and safe to correct residual equinus of clubfoot treated by the Ponseti technique.
Clubfoot; Achilles tendon; Foot deformities
