OBJECTIVETo discuss diagnosis and treatment of post traumatic spasmodic flat foot.

METHODSFrom 2002 to 2007, 7 diagnosed patients were recruited and underwent following procedures: under epidural anesthesia or common peroneal nerve block anesthesia, massage was performed on the peroneal muscles for about 5 minutes, then ankle joint was underwent with passive functional exercise. Feeling muscle relaxation, we held the wounded foot in varus and adducted position forcefully, then immobilized it with short leg cast. After 3 weeks of continuous immobilization, the cast was removed and patients were given physical treatment and functional training.

RESULTSSymptoms of these patients such as claudication and pain in foot were improved, the foot deformity was corrected and foot arch restored to normal. After a follow-up of 6 months,no obvious recurrence was observed.

CONCLUSIONThe diagnosis of post traumatic spasmodic flat foot is based on the careful inquiry of traumatic history,physical examination and X-ray results. Manipulative reduction under common peroneal nerve block anesthesia and cast immobilization is a simple and effective method to treat this disease.