The Ilizarov technique lends itself well to correction of foot deformities because of the three-dimensional nature of the foot and of the apparatus. The two approaches to the correction of foot deformities are (1) soft tissue distraction of the deformity and (2) distraction of an osteotomy. In the former, the deformity is corrected by eliminating pre-existing contractures and by distracting acr...

The goals of Charcot deformity correction are to restore osseous alignment, regain pedal stability, and prevent ulceration. Traditional reconstructive surgical approaches involve large, open incisions to remove bone and the use of internal fixation to attempt to fuse dislocated joints. Such operations can result in shortening of the foot and/or incomplete deformity correction, fixation failure,...

Zellweger spectrum disorders result from defects in the assembly of the peroxisome and are sometimes referred to as peroxisome biogenesis disorders. Orthopedic manifestations of this condition are variable. This case report illustrates an ambulatory child with Zellweger syndrome and progressive foot deformity. The course of treatment consisted of initial soft tissue surgery, early recurrence of...

BACKGROUND The rigid equinovarus foot deformity is a challenging condition treated by the orthopaedic foot and ankle surgeon. Rapid surgical correction of the deformity may lead to skin and neurologic complications. Gradual correction of the deformity with a multiplanar external fixator may decrease these complications. The purpose of this study was to present the results of a group of patients...

BACKGROUND: Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome is caused by distal deletion of the short arm of chromosome 4 (4p-). We report a case in which intrauterine growth restriction, hypospadias and foot deformity were detected by prenatal ultrasound examination at 29 weeks of gestation. CASE PRESENTATION: A 31-year-old gravida 2 partus 1 woman was referred at 29 weeks' gestation with suspicion of intrauterine g...

A novel partially implantable system for correction of foot drop has been developed and is being tested in three volunteer subjects. The system consists of a two-channel implantable stimulator, a multi-polar nerve cuff electrode implanted on the peroneal nerve proximal to the knee, and an external system including battery, control and telemetry unit and a heel switch. Although the work is still...

Spasm or contracture of gastrocnemius causes an equinus deformity of the ankle in both cerebral palsy and hemiplegia. Its release is therefore required in the treatment of those patients who do not respond to conservative measures. The Vulpius procedure is a simple and effective method for the release of gastrocnemius and is particularly indicated when long periods of immobilisation of the foot...

Equinovarus hindfoot deformity is one of the most common deformities in children with spastic paralysis ; it is usually secondary to cerebral palsy. Split tibialis posterior tendon transfer is performed to balance the flexible spastic varus foot and is preferable to tibialis posterior lengthening, as the muscle does not loose its power and therefore the possibility of a valgus or calcaneovalgus...

Post-poliomyelitis foot deformity remains a challenging problem to orthopedic surgeons, though its incidence has decreased greatly. The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the surgical outcome in patients with paralytic foot deformity associated with poliomyelitis. Between 1998 and 2002, seven patients with a history of prolonged, severe, and rigid equinocavovarus deformity seco...