The Correlation of Pirani and Dimeglio Scoring Systems for Ponseti Management at Different Levels of Deformity Severity

The Pirani and Dimeglio scoring systems both have excellent inter-observer and intra-observer reliability, but no research has been conducted to determine their inter-observer reliability and their relationship at different levels of deformity. A total of 173 idiopathic clubfoot cases were reviewed using Pirani and Dimeglio scoring systems, and the number of casts needed was also recorded. For clubfeet with a cast number equal to 2 or 7 and 8, the inter-observer reliability of the two scoring systems was poor or moderate, and there was no correlation between the two scoring systems. There was also no correlation between the Dimeglio scoring score with the number of casts for grade II or IV clubfeet. A binary regression of the number of casts on initial Pirani or Dimeglio scores showed that there was a Quadratic or Cubic relation between the scores and the cast numbers. In conclusion, in the case of mild and very severe clubfoot deformity, the interobserver reliability and its ability to predict the number of casts needed for clubfoot deformity correction was poor. A more objective evaluation system may be required.