The Treatment of Rigid Metatarsus Adductovarus with the Use of a New Hinged Adjustable Shoe Orthosis

Abstract

A retrospective review of the early results of treatment of metatarsus adductovarus with a new hinged adjustable shoe orthosis, the Bēbax shoe, is presented. The results in 120 cases (210 feet) are included in the study. Criteria for severity of the initial deformity were developed, and all cases of true clubfoot and those cases with prior treatment were excluded. The average age at institution of treatment was 4.5 months, and treatment time averaged 2.7 months (range 1–7 months). Overall, 96% of the cases were completely resolved with the use of the orthotic alone, 3% required additional casting, and 1% required a bar and shoes for complete correction of the deformity. No treatment complications were encountered except some minor problems with hinge loosening, particularly in the child of walking age. We believe that the Bēbax shoe is a lightweight, convenient, safe, and both cost- and treatment-effective device in the management of metatarsus adductovarus.