Percutaneous tenotomy of the Achilles tendon using a 16 gauge needle in the management of clubfoot

Abstract

Objective: To clinically evaluate, the effectiveness of percutaneous tenotomy of Achilles tendon using a 16 gauge needle in clubfoot treatment by ponseti technique. Material and methods: Forty five affected foot were prospectively evaluated in Twenty five patients with ctev attending orthopedics OPD in K R Hospital, Mysore and treated conservatively using ponseti technique between June 2016 and November 2017.out of forty five affected feet,thirty nine feet required tenotomy and percutaneous tenotomy done using a 16 gauge needle and assessed clinically. Results: All 39 feet successfully managed, the reported complications of conventional tenotomy by knife [excessive bleeding, pseudo-aneurysm or neurovascular compromise] were not encountered with this technique. Conclusion: This percutaneous tenotomy technique using a 16 needle is a simple procedure, safe and very effective and gives predictable results without any complications which were reported with tenotomy by knife.