Calcaneal lateral column lengthening osteotomy for symptomatic flexible flatfoot in children and adolescents: a systematic review

Risk Factors for Failure of Calcaneal Lengthening Osteotomy in Children and Adolescents With Planovalgus Foot Deformity: A Retrospective Study

INTRODUCTION

The calcaneal lengthening procedure (CLP) is a well-known surgical technique used for the correction of symptomatic planovalgus foot deformities. Literature shows a significant rate of relapse and undercorrection of the foot post-operatively. Factors determining the failure or success of CLP are still not well understood. The purpose of this retrospective study was to assess the most significant factors related to the failure of this procedure.

METHODS

A case-control retrospective study was conducted on 50 patients (80 feet) aged 12.4±2.5 years who underwent CLP. A clinical (demographic parameters, etiology, Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) level) and radiological evaluation were assessed preoperatively and repeated postoperatively at 56.5±32.5 months. Two methods of osteotomy bone fixation were studied: K-wires vs. eight-plate. Standing anteroposterior (AP) and lateral (L) radiographs were done, and the following radiographic parameters were measured: calcaneocuboid (CC) joint subluxation classified into normal, moderate, and severe (L); AP and L talo-first metatarsal (T1MT) angle; AP talonavicular (TN) coverage angle; AP and L talocalcaneal (TC) angle; calcaneal pitch (CP) angle; and L talo-horizontal (TH) angle. Mosca's criteria were used for clinical and radiological assessments. The association between demographic data, clinical and radiological results, and the variation between preoperative and postoperative angles were studied. The main risk factors affecting clinical results and CC joint subluxation were investigated (logistic regression and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA)).

RESULTS

Satisfactory clinical results were associated with satisfactory radiological ones on Mosca's criteria (p<0.001). The use of an eight-plate for osteotomy fixation gave better results than K-wires (79% vs. 59%). Radiological angles were improved in both techniques postoperatively (increase of CP and L-TC and decrease of AP-T1MT, AP-TC, AP-TN, and L-T1MT, all p<0.05). Non-satisfactory clinical results were associated with a high GMFCS level, a low preoperative AP-TN coverage angle, and a low preoperative CP angle (R2=0.45). Both a young age and a low CP angle preoperatively were associated with CC subluxation (R2=0.31).

CONCLUSION

The neurological status and the severity of the planovalgus foot deformity preoperatively were the main risk factors affecting clinical outcomes after CLP. However, young age and the severity of the deformity preoperatively were the main risk factors behind CC joint subluxation affecting CLP outcomes.

Changes in the bony alignment of the foot after tendo-Achilles lengthening in patients with planovalgus deformity

Background

This study was performed to investigate the change in the bony alignment of the foot after tendo-Achilles lengthening (TAL) and the factors that affect these changes in patients with planovalgus foot deformity.

Methods

Consecutive 97 patients (150 feet; mean age 10 years; range 5.1–35.7) with Achilles tendon contracture (ATC) and planovalgus foot deformity who underwent TAL were included. All patients underwent preoperative and postoperative weight-bearing anteroposterior (AP) or lateral (LAT) foot radiographics. Changes in AP talo-1st metatarsal angle, AP talo-2nd metatarsal angle, LAT talo-1st metatarsal angle, and calcaneal pitch angle and the factors affecting such changes after TAL were analyzed using lineal mixed model.

Results

There were no significant change in AP talo-1st metatarsal angle and AP talo-2nd metatarsal angle after TAL in patients with cerebral palsy (CP) (p = 0.236 and 0.212). However, LAT talo-1st metatarsal angle and calcaneal pitch angle were significantly improved after TAL (13.0°, p < 0.001 and 4.5°, p < 0.001). Age was significantly associated with the change in LAT talo-1st metatarsal angle after TAL (p = 0.028). The changes in AP talo-1st metatarsal angle, AP talo-2nd metatarsal angle, and calcaneal pitch angle after TAL were not significantly associated with the diagnosis (p = 0.879, 0.903, and 0.056). However, patients with CP showed more improvement in LAT talo-1st metatarsal angle (− 5.0°, p = 0.034) than those with idiopathic cause.

Conclusion

This study showed that TAL can improve the bony alignment of the foot in patients with planovalgus and ATC. We recommend that physicians should consider this study’s findings when planning operative treatment for such patients.