Osteopathic manipulative treatment of congenital talipes equinovarus: a case report

Abstract

Background: Treatment recommendations for congenital talipes equinovarus are focused on conservative treatments.

Objectives: The aim of this paper is to present a case report of bilateral congenital talipes equinovarus treated with two short-leg serial casting in combination with osteopathic manipulative treatment.

Methods: A newborn, 12 days old, with severe bilateral congenital talipes equinovarus entered to the Department of Orthopedics at the University of Chieti, Italy. The pediatric orthopedic surgeon applied two single series of short-leg casts, at 12 and 20 days of age. The osteopath scheduled 4 indirect myofascial release techniques sessions.

Results: At day 33 the newborn achieved a complete correction of the congenital talipes equinovarus deformity and there was no need to apply a third series of casts.

Conclusions: Results from this single case study create an interesting and clear precedent for considering OMT in future clinical trials.

Keywords: Clubfoot; Complementary and alternative treatment; Congenital talipes equinovarus; Conservative treatment; Foot; Manipulation; Newborn; Osteopathic manipulative treatment.