The JVL Researchers, in close collaboration with OIC orthopaedic surgeons, have published many studies on the treatment, outcome, and biomechanics of idiopathic clubfoot. An IRB approved database of more than 300 infants treated at OIC has been established to study all aspects of clubfoot treatment. Some of the questions recently addressed:
How early should an infant with clubfoot begin treatment?
How important is it to apply the brace as recommended?
At what age should an infant with clubfoot be expected to walk?
Is there a correlation between severity of clubfoot and gender?
Current Research
Working with orthopaedic surgeons, JVL researchers designed a study to compare the corrective potential of among three surgical procedures commonly conducted in clubfoot patients who experience a relapse after 2 ½ years of age. Optical motion tracking was used to measure forefoot and hindfoot motions as a function of tension applied via the anterior tibialis.
Researchers:
Sophia Sangiorgio. PhD
Lewis Zionts, MD
Jennifer Beck, MD
Selected Publications
Zionts, L. E., Ebramzadeh, E., Morgan, R. D., & Sangiorgio, S. N. (2018). Sixty years on: Ponseti method for clubfoot treatment produces high satisfaction despite inherent tendency to relapse. JBJS, 100(9), 721-728.
Beck, J. J., Sangiorgio, S. N., Jew, M. H., Marcum, T., Cooper, S. D., Ebramzadeh, E., & Zionts, L. E. (2017). Alteration in hypoplasia of the hindfoot structures during early growth in clubfeet treated using the Ponseti method. Journal of Children's Orthopaedics, 11(6), 434-439.
Lang, P. J., Avoian, T., Sangiorgio, S. N., Nazif, M. A., Ebramzadeh, E., & Zionts, L. E. (2017). Quantification of the ossification of the lateral cuneiform in the feet of young children with unilateral congenital talipes equinovarus. The Bone & Joint Journal, 99(8), 1109-1114.
Sangiorgio, S. N., Ebramzadeh, E., Morgan, R. D., & Zionts, L. E. (2017). The timing and relevance of relapsed deformity in patients with idiopathic clubfoot. JAAOS-Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 25(7), 536-545.
Sangiorgio, S. N., Ho, N. C., Morgan, R. D., Ebramzadeh, E., & Zionts, L. E. (2016). The objective measurement of brace-use adherence in the treatment of idiopathic clubfoot. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, 98(19), 1598-1605.
Zionts, L. E., Jew, M. H., Bauer, K. L., Ebramzadeh, E., & Sangiorgio, S. N. (2018). How many patients who have a clubfoot treated using the Ponseti method are likely to undergo a tendon transfer?. Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics, 38(7), 382-387.
Zionts, L. E., Jew, M. H., Ebramzadeh, E., & Sangiorgio, S. N. (2017). The influence of sex and laterality on clubfoot severity. Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics, 37(2), e129-e133.
Zionts, L. E., Sangiorgio, S. N., Cooper, S. D., & Ebramzadeh, E. (2016). Does clubfoot treatment need to begin as soon as possible?. Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics, 36(6), 558-564.
Knutsen, A. R., Avoian, T., Sangiorgio, S. N., Borkowski, S. L., Ebramzadeh, E., & Zionts, L. E. (2015). How do different anterior tibial tendon transfer techniques influence forefoot and hindfoot motion?. Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research®, 473(5), 1737-1743.
Zionts, L. E., Packer, D. F., Cooper, S., Ebramzadeh, E., & Sangiorgio, S. (2014). Walking age of infants with idiopathic clubfoot treated using the Ponseti method. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, 96(19), e164.
Knutsen, A., Avoian, T., Borkowski, S. L., Ebramzadeh, E., Zionts, L. E., & Sangiorgio, S. N. (2014). Accuracy of radiographs in assessment of displacement in lateral humeral condyle fractures. Journal of Children's Orthopaedics, 8(1), 83-89.
Zionts, L. E., Frost, N., Kim, R., Ebramzadeh, E., & Sangiorgio, S. N. (2012). Treatment of idiopathic clubfoot: experience with the Mitchell-Ponseti brace. Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics, 32(7), 706-713.
Zionts, L. E., Sangiorgio, S. N., Ebramzadeh, E., & Morcuende, J. A. (2012). The current management of idiopathic clubfoot revisited: results of a survey of the POSNA membership. Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics, 32(5), 515-520.