The evaluation of vascular flow in clubfoot: a resistive index and peak systolic velocity study

Resistive index (RI) and peak systolic velocity (PSV) are important Color doppler ultrasonography (CDU) parameters indicating the microcirculation and flow velocity in tissues. We aim to determine the changes in vascular flow characteristics in clubfoot after Ponseti treatment. There were three groups: the clubfoot group, the healthy group (the unaffected feet with unilateral deformities) and the control group. The Pirani severity scoring and CDU examinations of the foot were performed at initial admission and the 6th-month follow-up after Ponseti treatment. A total of 34 feet of 24 patients were included in the study. The mean age at initial treatment was 20.9 ± 22.5 days. The RI and PSV values of the clubfeet and the healthy group were similar. Resistive index values were significantly lower, and PSV values were significantly higher in the control group. After Ponseti treatment, only RI of the dorsalis pedis artery decreased, but PSV increased for all of the arteries. Recurrence of the deformity deteriorates the improvement in vascular development. Resistive index and PSV values were not related to the initial severity of the deformity. The RI values were higher, and PSV values were lower in clubfoot patients compared with the normal control group. Vascular pathology is a component of clubfoot, and treatment success improves vascular development. The improvement of microcirculation and blood flow velocity together was detected only in the dorsalis pedis artery. The effect of vascular flow change on prognosis was not detected.