The effect of an intensive physiotherapy program following botulinum toxin injection in the treatment of children with idiopathic club foot

Abstract

Abdulrahman M Ali, Mohamed B. Ibrahim1Mohamed I. Elsofy, Sara Y. Elsebahy*

Background: Although relapse and residual equinus are still problems, idiopathic clubfoot, a common congenital abnormality, usually responds well to the Punster technique. This study examines whether administering injections of botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) in conjunction with a rigorous physiotherapy regimen enhances treatment outcomes for young children.

Methods: BTX-A was injected into the gastrocnemius-soleus complex at the hind foot stall in a randomized of 46 babies with idiopathic clubfoot. divided into two groups. After one week, participants began a systematic eightweek intensive physiotherapy program IPT, and group 2 received a traditional physical therapy TPT programme that included. Passive stretching, manual mobilization, strengthening exercises, weight-bearing activities, and task-specific training. While TPT includes regular stretching exercises and orthotic bracing. At baseline, eight weeks, changes in ankle dorsiflexion, Pirani scores were used to evaluate the results.

Results: Both groups demonstrated statistically significant improvements in all measured variables after the intervention. However, the study group who took part in the rigorous physiotherapy program after receiving a BoNT-A injection showed significantly greater improvements in foot posture and lowered Pirani scores, ankle dorsiflexion range of motion.

Conclusion: Children with idiopathic clubfoot seem to respond better to treatment when an intense physiotherapy program is added after receiving BoNT-A injections. This improves foot alignment and functional outcomes. The use of a multimodal therapy approach in the management of this illness is supported by these findings.