BACKGROUND: Results of limb lengthening in patients with achondroplasia were previously reported in many studies. However, the reports of comparison among the three long bones (femur, tibia, and humerus) are rare, especially for the results of crossed lengthening (lengthening of one femur and contralateral tibia followed by that of the opposite side) for the lower limbs. The purpose of this study was to report the surgical results of a series of limb lengthening in achondroplastic or hypochondroplasia patients at our institution. METHODS: Fifteen patients (14 with achondroplasia and 1 with hypochondroplasia) underwent lower limb lengthening of the femur (n = 32) and tibia (n = 28), and 12 of them underwent crossed lengthening. Humeral lengthening was performed in 14 patients (n = 28). The mean age at the first operation was 11.7 years, and the mean follow-up duration was 66.7 months. The healing index, consolidation period index (duration of consolidation period/gained length), and other radiographic indices were analyzed. Limb length discrepancy and hip-knee-ankle alignment in lower limbs, and the occurrence of difficulties were assessed. RESULTS: The average gain in length for the femur, tibia, and humerus was 8.3 cm, 8.5 cm, and 7.4 cm, respectively. The mean healing index was 29.6 days/cm for the femur, 29.0 days/cm for the tibia, and 27.2 days/cm for the humerus. The mean consolidation period index was 14.7 days/cm for the humerus, which was significantly lower than that in the lower limb (17.3 days/cm for the femur and 17.8 days/cm for the tibia). Of the 12 who underwent crossed lengthening, five showed limb length discrepancy ≥ 1.0 cm. Among their 24 lower limbs, three showed valgus alignment ≥ 5° and one showed varus alignment ≥ 5°. Thirty-two pin site infections and three fractures were conservatively managed. Three femoral fractures, eight equinus deformities, and four cases with premature consolidation of the fibula were surgically treated. Obstacle and true complication related to humeral lengthening were not observed. CONCLUSIONS: Humeral lengthening was relatively effective and safe. Careful attention will be needed to avoid the occurrence of limb length discrepancy or malalignment in crossed lengthening.
Achondroplasia ; Equinus Deformity ; Extremities ; Femoral Fractures ; Femur ; Fibula ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Humerus ; Lower Extremity ; Osteogenesis, Distraction ; Tibia

OBJECTIVETo explore clinical efficacy of osteotomy and fusion in treating severe rigid equinus deformity.

METHODSFrom April 2010 to October 2015, 13 patients(16 feet) with severe rigid equinus deformity were treated with osteotomy and fusion by hollow screw, including 6 males and 7 females aged from 39 to 62 years old with an average of(49.6±5.3) years old;the courses of diseases ranged from 5 to 27 years with an average of (9.0±4.8) years. Six patients (9 feet) were treated with osteotomy and fusion for three joints, 4 patients(4 feet) were treated with osteotomy and fusion for four joints, and 3 patients (3 feet) were treated with osteotomy and fusion for tibiotalar and calcaneal-talar joints. All patients manifested as foot pain, heel could not touch floor and walking before operation. Postoperative complications were observed, AOFAS score were applied to evaluate clinical effect.

RESULTSThirteen patients were followed up from 18 to 24 months with an average of 20 months. Only one patient occurred local skin necrosis after operation and healed by dressing change and anti-infective therapy. All feet obtained fracture healing, the time ranged from 12 to 16 weeks with an average of 13.2 weeks. AOFAS score were improved from 11.85±10.66 before operation to 81.38±3.69 after operation, and had significant difference(=-25.67, <0.05);15 feet good and 1 foot moderate.

CONCLUSIONSTibiotalar and calcaneal-talar joint fusion, osteotomy and fusion for three and four joints could treat severe rigid equinus deformity according to patients' individual and could obtain satisfied clinical effects.

Adult ; Arthrodesis ; Calcaneus ; pathology ; Equinus Deformity ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteotomy ; Treatment Outcome

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness as well as correct the post-traumatic severe ankle equinus deformity by conducting the treatment surgery, which is divided into 2 stages, soft tissue adhesiolysis and ankle arthrodesis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We have conducted the methods, which are Z-plasty Achilles tendon lengthening, multiple capsulotomy and tendon lengthening (flexor hallucis longus muscle, flexor digitorum longus, posterior tibialis tendon) for 10 patients who has shown equinus deformity after post-traumatic compartment syndrome due to the injury. The average age of patients was 33.7 year-old; there were 8 men and 2 women, and the follow up period was 13 months (6~31 mon). Outcomes were rated based on American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and patient's satisfaction after operation. RESULTS: The average degree of preoperative equinus deformity was 64 degree (-60~-70), and we've obtained AOFAS anklehindfoot score that was evaluated after 4 months of 2nd operation which was 76.7 score on average. We've also checked the decreased pain score from all of the patients according to the fact that the average VAS before the surgery was 6 (4~8), but it reduced to 3 (1~4). The patient's satisfaction showed generally great satisfactions which was 5 cases were excellent, 2 cases were good, and 3 cases were fair. CONCLUSION: The two staged surgical treatment of post -traumatic severe ankle equinus deformity, which was conducted of soft tissue adhesiolysis and arthrodesis, could be one of the effective methods to improve patients walking ability.
Achilles Tendon ; Animals ; Ankle ; Arthrodesis ; Compartment Syndromes ; Equinus Deformity ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Foot ; Humans ; Male ; Muscles ; Tenotomy ; Walking

Equinus contracture of the gastrocnemius-soleus complex is associated with many foot and ankle diseases. We introduce a new simple technique that can be performed using a minimal incision with simple devices. Briefly, 0.5 cm sized medial and lateral longitudinal skin incisions are made at the level of the distal one third of the calf. The musculotendinous junction of the gastrocnemius is gently transected using an Arachnoid blade. The skin is, then, closed with non-absorbable sutures.
Animals ; Ankle ; Arachnoid ; Equinus Deformity ; Foot ; Skin ; Sutures

Vascular malformations may typically present with palpable mass that can be either asymptomatic or can present with symptoms including swelling and pain. On rare occasions, vascular malformation of muscle may produce joint deformities caused by contracture of the involved muscle. When vascular malformation involves the flexor muscle of the leg, ankle equinus deformity may occur. However, there are no reports of toe deformities secondary to intermuscular or intramuscular vascular malformations of flexor muscles of toe. Thus, we report a case of vascular malformation of flexor hallucis longus muscle with flexion contracture of toes in a 40-years-old woman who was treated with surgical excision.
Animals ; Ankle ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Contracture ; Equinus Deformity ; Female ; Humans ; Joints ; Leg ; Muscles ; Toes ; Vascular Malformations

PURPOSE: To measure the muscle length of the gastrocnemius and soleus during gait in CP patients with an equinus deformity before and after surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twelve CP patients with an equinus deformity (17 limbs) were examined by gait analysis preoperatively and postoperatively. The patient group was further classified into the TAL and Strayer group according to the surgical technique. The mean age and mean follow-up periods were 14.3 years (5-25 years) and 15.3 months (12.5-18.5 months), respectively. The muscle length of the Gastrocnemius and Soleus was measured during gait using the SIMM program linked to a gait analysis system. RESULTS: The ankle ROM, knee ROM, maximal muscle length and peak-to-peak excursion during gait improved after surgery. There was a significant difference between the preoperative and postoperative measurements (p<0.05), but no difference between the postoperative and control groups (p>0.05). The muscle length of the soleus was elongated during gait after the Strayer procedure. CONCLUSION: Patients with an equinus deformity had a contracted triceps muscle, which was elongated after surgery. These changes were quantified by a comparison of the preoperative and postoperative measurements.
Animals ; Ankle ; Cerebral Palsy ; Contracts ; Equinus Deformity ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gait ; Humans ; Knee ; Muscle, Skeletal ; Muscles

PURPOSE: Talipes equinus deformity is defined as impossibility of heel weight-bearing and lacking of improvement of toe-tip gait despite sufficient duration of conservative treatment. The incidence of equinus deformity induces post-traumatic extensive soft tissue defect and subsequently increases it. Severe equinus deformities of the foot associated with extensive scarring of the leg and ankle were corrected using achilles Z-lengthening and free-tissue transfer. METHODS: Free radial forearm flap was done in nine cases of eight patients from January 2000 to November 2006. Causes of deformity were post-traumatic contracture (one patient) and post-burn scar contracture (seven patients). Seven patients were male, one patient was female. Mean age was 32.1 (range, 10-57). Flap donors were covered with artificial dermis (Terudermis(R)) and split thickness skin graft (five cases), and medium thickness skin graft only (four cases). RESULTS: The size of flaps varied from 6x12 to 15 x12cm (average, 12x7.8cm). Achilles tendon was lengthened 4.2cm on average. Free radial forearm flap was satisfactory in all cases. All patients could ambulate normally after the surgery. Cases having donor coverage with Terudermis(R) were aesthetically better than those having skin grafts only. CONCLUSION: This study suggested that severe equinus deformities associated with extensive scarring of the leg and ankle can be corrected effectively free radial forearm flap and Achilles tendon lengthening.
Achilles Tendon* ; Ankle ; Cicatrix ; Clubfoot* ; Congenital Abnormalities* ; Contracture ; Dermis ; Equinus Deformity* ; Female ; Foot ; Forearm* ; Gait ; Heel ; Humans ; Incidence ; Leg ; Male ; Skin ; Tissue Donors ; Transplants ; Weight-Bearing

OBJECTIVETo explore the Ilizarov mini-invasive distraction technique for the treatment of severer ankle and foot deformities secondary to ischemic contracture of the leg.

METHODSBased on the tension-stress low of Ilizarov, a serial of adjustable three dimensions external distractive instrument was developed in our department. From April 2002 to March 2004, 8 patients with ankle and foot deformities secondary to ischemic contracture of the leg induced by trauma and fracture were treated with the distractive instrument. Of them, 4 patient were male and 4 female, aged from 13 to 31 years with an average of 23 years. Five affected legs were in the left and 3 in the right. Preoperative abnormal style included talipes equines in 6 feet and equinovarus in 2 feet, with extensive scar contracture in the legs. Five patients suffered from failure of soft tissue release before, two patients with severe bony deformity of the feet were underwent limited foot triple osteotomy in this department before the distractive correction. The distraction was begun from 7 d after operation and distractive time from 29 to 60 d with an average 46 d.

RESULTSAll of the 8 patients were followed up from 10 months to 29 months, with an average of 13 months. All of deformities in the feet were corrected satisfactorily, full feet contacted with the ground in stand or walking and achieved with good function. No complication, such as pin tract infection, skin necrosis and neurovascular injury was occurred in this group.

CONCLUSIONSMini-invasive distraction technique for treatment of severe ankle and foot deformity secondary to ischemic contracture of the leg is safe and mini-injury, it is also an effective approach for the treatment of various kinds of rigid foot anomaly.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Anterior Compartment Syndrome ; complications ; Equinus Deformity ; etiology ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Ilizarov Technique ; Male ; Treatment Outcome

The purpose of this study was to evaluate how soft tissue surgery for correcting equinus deformity affects the kinematic and kinetic parameters of the ankle and proximal joints. Sixteen children with spastic hemiplegic cerebral palsy and equinus deformities (age range 3-16 years) were included. Soft tissue surgeries were performed exclusively on the ankle joint area in all subjects. Using computerized gait analysis (Vicon 370 Motion Analysis System), the kinematic and kinetic parameters during barefoot ambulation were collected preoperatively and postoperatively. In all 16 children, the abnormally increased ankle plantar flexion and pelvis anterior tilting on the sagittal plane were significantly improved without a weakening of push-off (p < 0.05). In a group of 8 subjects with a recurvatum knee gait pattern before operation, the postoperative kinematic and kinetic parameters of the knee joint were significantly improved (p < 0.05). In a group of 8 subjects with ipsilateral pelvic external rotation before operation, the postoperative pelvic deviations on the transverse plane were significantly decreased (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that the soft tissue surgery for correcting equinus deformity improves not only the abnormal gait pattern of the ankle, but also that of the knee and pelvis.
Male ; Kinetics ; Joints/physiopathology/surgery ; Humans ; Hemiplegia/*surgery ; Gait/physiology ; Female ; Equinus Deformity/*surgery ; Child, Preschool ; Child ; Cerebral Palsy/*surgery ; Biomechanics ; Ankle Joint/physiopathology/surgery ; Adolescent

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical results of acquired claw toe deformities that had been treated with proximal lengthening of the long toe flexor tendons. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventeen patients with a claw toe deformity due to contracture of the long flexor tendons were treated with proximal lengthening of the long toe flexor tendons from January 1993 to January 2003 and were followed up for at least 1 year. The average age at the time of the operation was 42 years and the average follow-up period was 34 months. Achilles tendon lengthening was also performed in 14 cases with an equinus deformity. At the final follow-up, a residual toe deformity, toe pain during walking, patient's satisfaction, and limitation of the shoe-wear were assessed. RESULTS: At the final follow up, all cases showed a complete correction of a claw toe deformity, and did not have callosity at the toe tip or dorsal aspect of the toes. Toe pain during walking was found in 1 case, and a limitation of the shoe-wear was noted in 6 cases. At the final evaluation, 10 cases were graded as excellent, 6 good, and 1 fair. There was no recurrence of the claw toe deformity or limitation of the toe motion. CONCLUSION: Proximal lengthening of the long toe flexor tendons is recommended for treating flexible claw toe deformities. The procedure produced excellent results regarding the deformity correction and pain relief.
Achilles Tendon ; Animals ; Callosities ; Congenital Abnormalities* ; Contracture ; Equinus Deformity ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hammer Toe Syndrome* ; Hoof and Claw* ; Humans ; Recurrence ; Tendons* ; Toes ; Walking