Author:

Abstract:

Congenital clubfoot is a complex deformity in which several abnormalities of the foot are present. Left untreated the clubfoot leads to deformity, functional disability and pain. Initial treatment of the clubfoot is currently done according to the Ponseti method. Even though good initial correction of the clubfoot is often achieved with the Ponseti method, some patients show a reoccurrence of the original clubfoot, also referred to as a relapse. To prevent the need for major surgical interventions in children with relapsed clubfoot, early identification is essential. Before early identification is possible, more insight in functional outcomes of clubfoot patients with and without relapsed clubfoot after initial treatment is needed. Previous research into functional outcomes after initial treatment of clubfoot has shown that gait is affected in clubfoot patients. Children with clubfoot show decreased ankle power when compared to healthy controls. As ankle power has a large impact on gait, it is important to gain knowledge about the underlying mechanisms that cause deviations in ankle power. When the underlying cause is clearer, it is easier to determine the best treatment method for these patients. Since ankle power is partly affected by the muscle strength that is generated by the plantar flexor muscles, the focus of this project is to investigate the role of plantar flexor muscles in ankle power in children with clubfoot.