Aim: To assess functional outcome after calcaneal neck lengthening osteotomy in cerebral palsy patients with severe pes planus-valgus deformity.

Methods: During the period 1999–2002, 17 cerebral palsy patients (12 males and 5 females), aged 3 to 16 years, with flexible pes planus-valgus deformity, were treated in our department. Patients underwent calcaneal neck lengthening osteotomy using allograft bone. A below knee plaster was applied to all patients while weight-bearing was avoided for 6 weeks before partial to full weight-bearing commenced for the following 2 months.

Results: Patients were followed-up postoperatively for 3–28 months (mean 17 months) and the clinical and radiological findings were evaluated. The mean correction of the talo-navicular angle on the antero-posterior view was found to be 34°. All patients were radiologically healed at 7.5 weeks in average. 10% mean improvement was observed in the Gross Motor Performance Measure. There were no complications such as pseudarthrosis or infection.

Conclusion: Calcaneal neck lengthening osteotomy using allograft bone for the surgical treatment of severe pes planus-valgus deformity in cerebral palsy children yields satisfactory radiological and functional results.