A comparison of the complete subtalar release with less extensive
soft-tissue releases in the treatment of idiopathic club foot was done in
two groups of patients. Group I consisted of seventeen patients (twenty-six
feet), of whom fourteen patients (twenty-one feet) had a posteromedial and
lateral release. Group II consisted of seventeen patients (twenty-five
feet) who had a complete subtalar release. All patients were followed for a
minimum of two years. The complete subtalar release provided a higher
percentage of both radiographically and clinically satisfactory results
than did the less extensive soft-tissue procedures, but with the former
procedure there was a tendency to overcorrection unless the bones were
precisely repositioned at the end of the procedure.