M Papiez’s scientific contributions

Clinical assessment of the results of surgical treatment of 105 congenital clubfeet by peri-talar release has been carried out. There were 58% of soft and 42% of stiff clubfeet in this group. The average patient age at the operation was 17.8 months. The Wynne-Davies point scale modified by Marciniak was used to assess the results. Forty nine feet (46.4%) were rated good, 28 (26.7%) satisfactory and 28 (26.7%) poor. Fifty percent of stiff feet were rated poor and 68.9% of soft ones were rated good. Plantocontourography revealed marked decrease of internal rotation in the operated feet. The authors conclude peri-talar release is an effective method of treatment of soft congenital clubfoot.

Electromyography of the gluteus medius muscle in arthritic patients after total McKee-Farrar hip replacement has been presented. The control group consisted of nonoperated arthritic hips and normal hips. It was found that arthritis of the hip or total hip replacement do not significantly influence the average score of the integrated gluteus medius electomyogram. The gluteus medius strength on Trendelenburg sign testing is 1.5-2 times greater than on acting against maximal resistance with patient in supine position.

Irritability of the peroneal muscles by stimuli of the rectangular current in infants with congenital club foot was examined. Examinations were performed immediately before surgery in patients in general Ketamine anesthesia. The first group contained children with unilateral congenital club foot and the normal extremity was examined for comparison. In the group of children with bilateral club foot, one of the feet was examined twice about 4 months apart. A decrease of irritability of the peroneal muscles was found before operation. After operation this irritability reached the proper values. The authors think that the peroneal muscles in congenital club foot are stretched and that after correction of deformation their length and tension become normal.