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Symptomatic flatfoot is a prevalent disorder. We undertook a review of 50 feet in 39 patients with flexible flatfoot treated between August 2000 and January 2008 in order to evaluate the modified Kidner-Cobb procedure. Overall clinical results were rated as good in 48 (96%) feet and fair in 2 (4%) feet, and there were no poor results. Average follow-up was 4.6 years, and total recovery time was 5.7 months in older patients and 3.7 months in children. Manual muscle-strength testing revealed no difference in tibialis anterior strength between the operated and contralateral extremity. All patients visually demonstrated postoperative elevation of the medial longitudinal arch height. Complications included 2 feet with wound dehiscence and 1 foot with fractured hardware. The results of this review indicate that the modified Kidner-Cobb procedure is a useful treatment option for patients with symptomatic flexible flatfoot with posterior tibial tendon dysfunction stage 2.

Surgical treatment for clubfoot has been largely directed at finding the best one-stage operation for the resistant clubfoot. Eighteen patients with 27 clubfeet (average follow-up 11 years since first surgery; range, 3.5-24 years) were reviewed. More than one clubfoot operation was required in 56% of cases. Forty-six percent were corrected after one surgery; 33% required a second surgery and 14% required a third operation. One patient with particularly severe feet required a fourth operation on each foot. The mean age at the time of surgery was 1.26 years, 5.12 years, and 8 years for the first, second, and third operations, respectively. The first operation consisted of a soft-tissue release. The second and third operations consisted of more extensive soft-tissue release and various rearfoot and forefoot procedures. Radiographic values revealed an AP talocalcaneal angle of 18 degrees, AP talo-first metatarsal angle of 6 degrees, lateral talocalcaneal angle of 29.6 degrees, lateral talo-first metatarsal angle of 15 degrees, and calcaneo-first metatarsal angle of 143 degrees. At follow-up all patients had adequate function as determined by personal interview and clinical examination. We conclude that correction of resistant congenital clubfoot often requires more than one surgery, not because of a "failed first operation," but due to dynamic muscle imbalances that may not be fully recognized in infancy and early childhood. Thus, the need for a second operation should not be perceived as a failure of the first, but as part of the natural history of congenital clubfoot.

We present a unique case of congenital bilateral simple syndactyly of the first and second toes that was surgically treated using a full-thickness skin graft harvested from the same foot at the lateral aspect of the ankle. This surgical approach eliminates the potential need to involve another surgical team to harvest a donor graft from above the ankle, saving operating room time, anesthesia time, and overall cost to the patient. Cosmetically, scar formation above the ankle is also eliminated. (J Am Podiatr Med Assoc 96(6): 513–517, 2006)

Neuromuscular disease commonly affects the rearfoot as equinus, equinovarus, and equinovalgus deformity. Spastic hemiplegia caused by stroke, head injury, and cerebral palsy results in equinovarus deformity of the rearfoot. Spastic diplegia, most frequently caused by cerebral palsy, results in equinovalgus rearfoot deformity. Problems in ambulation, footwear, and bracing, as well as their orthopedic management, in patients with neuromuscular disease are discussed in a case-report format.

A retrospective analysis was conducted of 32 patients (33 ankles) who had undergone surgical ankle arthroscopy for chronic ankle pain that was recalcitrant to conservative treatment. All patients were examined clinically and completed a written questionnaire. Intraoperative ankle arthroscopy showed hypertrophic synovitis, adhesive bands, chondral bands with synovitis, osteophytes, and abnormalities in the talar dome. Results of treatment after an average follow-up time of 1.4 years (range: 0.33 to 12.5 years) showed ankle scores of 15 excellent, 11 good, 5 fair, and 2 poor. Obesity was significantly related to the outcomes of arthroscopy procedures. Obese patients were more likely to be rated as fair or poor, while nonobese patients were significantly more likely to be rated excellent or good. Those patients who received physical therapy postoperatively for one or more months had significantly better ankle ratings than those who did not elect to have physical therapy.

The longitudinal epiphyseal bracket is a rare ossification defect of bones of the hands and feet and results in an abnormal epiphysis that is C-shaped, longitudinally oriented, and vertically extends into the diaphysis. The longitudinal epiphyseal bracket may exist as an isolated deformity, but is commonly associated with digital deformities such as polydactyly, duplicated digits, congenital hallux varus, and clinodactyly. Five case histories of children with the longitudinal epiphyseal bracket in different bones of the foot are described with three distinct clinical presentations. The development of the longitudinal epiphyseal bracket and implications for treatment are considered.

Ten patients with 12 symptomatic severe flatfeet were treated with a combined surgical technique. Patients 10 years or older were treated with Evan's calcaneal osteotomy, Young tenosuspension, and tendo achillis lengthening. Patients under age 10 were treated with modified Young tenosuspension, talonavicular desmoplasty and subtalar arthroereisis. Eight of the 10 patients had marked relief in pain and fatigue and were able to perform all physical activities. Radiographic criteria showed improvement for all patients in all categories.

The literature reports that 70% of the cases of sinus tarsi syndrome are post-traumatic, following an inversion sprain, and that 30% result from inflammatory disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and gouty arthritis. However, in the case presented, talipes equinovarus deformity and sinus tarsi syndrome coexisted. One of the corrective goals in the management of the talipes equinovarus deformity is the realignment of the articulation between the medial plantarly deviated talar head and the anteromedial segment of the calcaneus. The calcaneus must be rotated from a plantarflexed position into a dorsiflexed position. The posterior tubercle will be moved down and in, with the anterior process moved up and out away from the talar head. By correcting the plantarflexed varus attitude of the calcaneus, it is put in a valgus position that often closes down the sinus tarsi upon weightbearing. This compression may result in pain over the lateral aspect of the midfoot with hindfoot instability, as seen in the case presented. As a result of the abnormal anatomical relationship of the talus and calcaneus, the patient developed severe pain in the sinus tarsi. Based on the medical history and present postoperative results, the authors find a long-term sequela of talipes equinovarus deformity to be sinus tarsi syndrome.