The correction of a relapsed or neglected clubfoot by an external distractor is an alternative to a major operation which may involve triple arthrodesis and is often associated with skin problems. We report the use of the Ilizarov method to treat nine severely deformed feet, with satisfactory results in terms of function and appearance. The distractor enables treatment to be applied before maturity and avoids the shortening of the foot that results from wedge osteotomies. We discuss the indications, technique, complications and results of the method

1. The results of excision of calcaneo-navicular bars in spasmodic flat feet are reported. The average follow-up was six years. Complete relief of symptoms was achieved in 68 per cent and over 25 degrees of subtalar inversion was restored in 58 per cent of the feet. 2. The results appear slightly more favourable than those of conservative treatment, but it is realised that the period of observation is short. 3. In a selected group of patients operation by a standard technique relieved symptoms and restored subtalar movement in all. 4. It is submitted that excision of the calcaneo-navicular bar is a justifiable procedure in the younger patient with painful spasmodic flat foot of recent origin

Patients with spina bifida cystica commonly have significant disability from a combination of valgus deformity of the ankle and subtalar joints with lateral tibial torsion and plano-abduction deformity of the foot. These deformities can be corrected by a single procedure which combines a supramalleolar tibial osteotomy with a lateral inlay triple fusion. This procedure was carried out on 20 feet in 15 patients and the results were reviewed after an average of three years (range 18 months to 7 years). In 75 per cent of feet the combination of deformities was fully corrected, ulcers and callosities were eliminated in 95 per cent, the use of calipers minimised in 95 per cent, and in all patients the problem of shoe-wrecking was reduced. Complications included recurrent valgus deformity, delayed union of the tibial osteotomy and failure of midtarsal fusion

Somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) measure the conduction pathways from the periphery to the brain and can demonstrate the site of neurological impairment in a variety of locomotor conditions. SSEPs were studied in 44 children (64 feet) with surgically corrected club feet. Four children had unreproducible responses, 18 showed abnormal recordings and 22 showed normal responses. In a further 31 feet (21 children) subjected to motor electrophysiological tests, 16 (52%) were abnormal. Overall, 44 of 95 feet (46%) showed abnormal SSEPs or motor electrophysiological tests. Neurological abnormality was related both to the severity of the deformity and the surgical outcome. It was seen in 38% of feet with grade-2 and in 53% of feet with grade-3 deformity. A fair surgical result was obtained in 36% of feet with a conduction deficit and in only 6% with no abnormality. These results suggest an association between neurological abnormality as demonstrated by SSEPs or motor electrophysiological studies and the severity of deformity in club foot and its response to surgical treatment

There is some evidence that the anterior tibial vascular tree is poorly developed in children with club foot. We have found a significantly greater prevalence of absence of the dorsalis pedis pulse in the parents of such children. We also found significantly more tobacco smokers among the club-foot parents than in the control group

We have studied the relationship between movements of the foot and ankle and venous blood flow from the lower limb using colourflow Duplex ultrasound to determine the optimum type of exercise for promoting venous return. Studies of both active and passive movements were carried out on 40 limbs in 20 subjects (18 men; 2 women), with a median age of 27 years (20 to 54). We assessed ankle dorsiflexion and plantar flexion, subtalar inversion and eversion, and a combination of all movements. There was no difference in venous flow when comparing opposite limbs in a single subject (p > 0.5), but active exercises produced higher peak and mean velocities of blood flow than passive ones. The active combined movement produced the highest velocities with an increase of 38% in mean and of 58% in peak flow velocities, which were significantly greater than the peak and mean flow rates produced by passive movements. The active combined exercise would therefore be the most effective in eliminating stasis and could contribute to the prevention of deep-vein thrombosis

Eight children with paralytic drop foot after intramuscular injections later developed gluteal fibrosis. Sciatic palsy, presenting as equinovarus or equinus deformity, was diagnosed on average 3.8 months after the intragluteal injections, but gluteal fibrosis was not diagnosed until 5.1 years after the injections. In three patients the equinovarus recurred after surgical correction due to persistent muscle imbalance and the effect of the external rotation contracture of the hip

1. A clinical and radiological survey has been made of the families of thirty-one patients with peroneal spastic flat foot and tarsal coalition (twenty-seven calcaneo-navicular, four talo-calcaneal). 2. Thirty-nine per cent of ninety-eight first degree relatives were found to have some type of tarsal coalition. 3. A surprise finding was that not one of the first degree relatives had ever had symptoms referred to the tarsus. 4. No case of "ball and socket" ankle joint or of carpal coalition was found in this series

We reviewed the long-term results of the Dillwyn Evans procedure for club foot in 60 feet of 45 patients with an average age of 29 years, using four different scoring systems. The results at 12 to 38 years were compared with those of an earlier study of the same group of patients. Function was satisfactory in 68% of feet; 90% of the patients were able to perform all desired activities. Mild residual deformity was compatible with satisfactory function, and poor function was related to ankle and subtalar stiffness. Our results suggest that this procedure has a low rate of deterioration and degenerative change with time

Following the discovery of a powerful venous pump in the foot that is activated by weight-bearing independently of muscular action, a pneumatic impulse device was developed to actuate this pump artificially. In a multicentre international trial the device was shown to reduce post-traumatic and postoperative swelling; pain also was alleviated. Evidence is also presented that dangerously high compartment pressures may be reduced to acceptable levels and fasciotomy avoided. We present an explanation of the clinical effects of activation of the venous footpump, based on recent improved understanding of the physiology of the microcirculation. The hyperaemic response that follows the liberation of endothelial-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) by sudden changes of pressure after weight-bearing or impulse compression is particularly important

This study assessed if transfer of the extensor hallucis longus is a valid alternative treatment to split transfer of the tibialis anterior tendon in adult hemiplegic patients without overactivity of the tibialis anterior. One group of 15 patients had overactivity of tibialis anterior in the swing phase, and underwent the split transfer. A further group of 14 patients had no overactivity of tibialis anterior, and underwent transfer of extensor hallucis longus. All patients had lengthening of the tendo Achillis and tenotomies of the toe flexors. All were evaluated clinically and by three-dimensional gait analysis pre- and at one year after surgery. At this time both groups showed significant reduction of disability in walking. Gait speed, stride length and paretic propulsion had improved significantly in both groups. Dorsiflexion in the swing phase, the step length of the healthy limb and the step width improved in both groups, but only reached statistical significance in the patients with transfer of the extensor hallucis longus. There were no differences between the groups at one year after operation. When combined with lengthening of the tendo Achillis, transfer of the extensor hallucis longus can be a valid alternative to split transfer of the tibialis anterior tendon to correct equinovarus foot deformity in patients without overactivity of tibialis anterior

A series of patients treated by osteotomy of the os calcis for the relief of peroneal spastic flat foot is reviewed. The late results have been evaluated, and the literature reviewed. It is suggested that this is an effective method of treatment which has advantages over tarsal fusions

A primary hydatid cyst in the pelvis is rare, and usually presents with pressure symptoms affecting the adjacent abdominal organs. We describe such a cyst which protruded through the sciatic notch and presented as a gluteal swelling with a foot drop due to compression of the lumbosacral nerve roots. Surgical excision and postoperative treatment with albendazole for six weeks were effective in controlling the disease and preventing recurrence

Three consecutive patients with ruptured Baker's cysts, verified by duplex scan, were found to have ecchymosis on the dorsum of the foot. The appearance of ecchymosis can be helpful in differentiating a ruptured cyst from cellulitis or deep-vein thrombosis

Weakness of dorsiflexion of the foot is a common complication of proximal tibial osteotomy and it has been suggested that this may be caused by an anterior tibial compartment syndrome. A prospective study of 20 patients undergoing tibial osteotomy was undertaken, in which compartment pressures were recorded and related to clinical signs. In 10 of the patients, the operation site was drained, and in 10 no drainage was employed. The undrained group showed significant elevation (greater than 45 mmHg) of the anterior compartment pressure in seven patients, and five of these had transient clinical signs. Only one patient had any permanent deficit, a minor asymptomatic weakness of extensor hallucis longus. In the drained group the pressures remained below 30 mmHg in all except two patients, who both had only a minor pressure rise and no significant early clinical signs. However, two patients from this group later developed weakness of dorsiflexion, probably due to common peroneal nerve injury, the cause of which is not clear

The development of lateral tibial torsion in the paralysed lower limb is well documented, but its pathogenesis is poorly understood. This paper attempts to provide an explanation for its development when it is associated with a varus or equinovarus deformity of the hindfoot. Correction of the lateral tibial torsion by supramalleolar derotation tibial osteotomy and reorientation of the ankle mortise appear to unlock the talus from the laterally rotated position, correcting a mobile hindfoot varus deformity and altering soft-tissue tensions about the ankle so that the correction achieved is maintained. In the presence of a fixed hindfoot deformity, supramalleolar derotation tibial osteotomy is useful as a first-stage procedure before corrective osteotomies of the foot. The operation described is technically simple and carries a low morbidity. Twenty supramalleolar derotation tibial osteotomies in 18 patients have been performed with satisfactory results and few complications

Aims

Our aim was to describe the mid-term appearances of the repair process of the Achilles tendon after tenotomy in children with a clubfoot treated using the Ponseti method.