The Surface Electromyography Of Congenital Clubfoot Treated By The Ponseti Method

ObjectivesCongenital clubfoot is one of the most common deformity in children's skeletal-muscular system.The etiology is unknown but it is closely related to neuromuscular abnormalities. This article aims to observe and analyze the surface electromyography activity of the lower limb muscles of the patients with congenital clubfoot treated by the Ponseti's method during independent gait. MethodsIn current study, 8 unilateral congenital clubfoot children were included by walking on the flat land with sEMG monitor.All the children can walk 9m independently.Lower limb muscles(Tibialis anterior muscle,Media head of gastrocnemius muscle,peroneal muscle)of these children were tested by surface electromyography(NORAXON TELEMYO 2400 R G2,USA).The different parameters(Mean amplitude,Mean frequency;Median frequency)between the affected limb and the contralateral side were analyzed. SPSS16.0 statistical software package was used for the study and collection of data using compare samples t-test analysis and processing. ResultsThe results showed that while the congenital clubfoot children treated by the Ponseti's method were walking independently on flat ground,the mean amplitude of affected leg weren't lower than the contralateral side;the mean frequency and median frequency of the affected limb were higher than the contralateral side(P<0.05). To our knowledge, this is the first research of the SEMG of peroneal muscles activity on the neuromuscular etiology and prognosis of clubfoot.Type I muscle fibers increased obviously in both tibialis anterior muscle and media head of gastrocnemius. ConclusionsUseing surface electromyography to exam the evertor muscle(peroneal muscle) function of the clubfoot may be considered as an objective and reliable indicator of the etiology correlated with the neuromuscular abnormalities and prognosis of the clubfoot treated with Ponseti's method.