【Abstract】 Objective To observe the effectiveness of limited operations and Ilizarov techniques for correction of congenital clubfoot (CCF) in adolescents, and to explore the new methods and new ideas for functional reconstruction of CCF. Methods Between September 2003 and July 2010, 25 adolescent patients (40 feet) with CCF were treated. Of the 25 patients, 14 were male (20 feet) and 11 were female (20 feet) with an age range from 12 to 25 years (mean, 15.7 years). The left feet were involved in 4 cases, the right feet in 6 cases, and both feet in 15 cases. According to Qin’s clubfoot deformity scale, 9 feet were rated as degree I, 17 feet as degree II, and 14 feet as degree III. In these cases, 9 feet were accompanied by internal rotation deformities of crus and 1 case by subluxation of right hip joint. After soft tissue release and osteotomy, 9 feet (degree I) were fixed by composite external fixation instruments, 31 feet by Ilizarov external fixation instruments. The deformity was corrected from 5 to 7 days after operation with distraction of 0.5-1.0 mm/d, then distraction stopped when the ankle was corrected at a hyperextension of 5 to 10° and light valgus. The affected limb might undergo weight bearing walking with external fixation at corrected position for 4 to 6 weeks. If one had both feet deformity, staged operation should be performed with a surgery interval of 3 to 6 months (mean, 4 months). Results The fixation time was 6-12 weeks (mean, 8 weeks) in 9 feet fixed by composite external fixation instruments, and it was 6-17 weeks (mean, 13 weeks) in 31 feet fixed by Ilizarov external fixation. All 25 patients were followed up 8 months to 6 years with an average of 37 months. During distraction process, slight pin track infection occurred in 6 cases (6 feet), which were cured after expectant management. One patient had recurrence of the deformity at 2 years postoperatively, who obtained satisfactory correction after Ilizarov external fixation for 4 weeks. The satisfactory correction and foot function were achieved in the other feet with walking on full weight-bearing. According to International Clubfoot Study Group (ICFSG) score, the results were excellent in 28 feet, good in 10 feet, and fair in 2 feet, with an excellent and good rate of 95% at last follow-up. Conclusion Combined limited operation with Ilizarov technique for correcting adolescent CCF is accord with biology principle and minimally invasive surgical principle, so it is a safe，minimally invasive, and effective method. It also can broaden the operative indications and correct degree III talipes equinovarus which is unattainable by traditional orthopedic surgery.
Objective To compare the long-term results between theMckay procedure and the musclestrength balancing procedure in treatment of congenital clubfoot (CCF).Methods Thirty-seven children with 54 clubfeet were treated by the muscle-strength balancing procedure (31 feet) or the Mckay procedure (23 feet).There were 27 males (38 feet) and 10 females (16 feet). The average age at the time of surgery was 1.2 years (range, 5 months to 3.5 years). The deformity occurred on the left side in 7 patients, on the right side in 13, and on both sides in 17. During the musclestrength balancing procedure, the anterior tibial tendonwas transplanted to the middle or the lateral cuneiform, and the Achilles tendon was lengthened. During the Mckay procedure, the complete releasing of the softtissues and the lengthening of the tendons were performed routinely; in addition, the abductor hallucis was also excised. The clinical outcomes were evaluated with the Diméglio classification method. According to the Diméglio scoring system, 3 clubfeet were at Grade Ⅱ (score, 6-10); 26 clubfeet at Grade Ⅲ (score, 11-15); 25 clubfeet at Grade Ⅳ (score, 16-20). Based on the Diméglio grading system, all the patients were divided into two groups before operation. Group Aconsisted of 29 feet at Grade Ⅱ or Ⅲ (score, 12.55±1.84); Group B consistedof 25 feet at Grade Ⅳ (score, 17.20±1.08). The score in the group undergoingthe musclestrength balancing procedure was 14.16±2.83, and the score in the group undergoing the Mckay procedure was 15.43±2.63. Results All the patients were followed up for an average of 8.2 years (range, 5.0-10.5 years). According to the Diméglio grading system, 32 patients were at Grade Ⅰand 22 patients at Grade Ⅱ, and none of the patients at Grade Ⅲ or Ⅳ. Two patients undergoing the Mckay procedure developed the postoperative incision infection, but the incision wound healed after the dressing changes. The Diméglio score was 4.07±1.25 in Group A and 6.52±1.74 in Group B after operation, with a significant difference when compared with before operation (Plt;0.05). In Group A the two procedureshad no significant difference in effectiveness (Pgt;0.05); however, in Group B they had a significant difference (Plt;0.05). Judging by the correction degrees for the deformity on the different planes, the two procedures had no significant difference for correcting the equinus of hind foot (Pgt;0.05); however, in the correction degrees for the cross-foot and supination or adduction of the anterior foot, the Mckay procedure was significantly finer than the muscle-strength balancing procedure. It has a good biocompatibility. The mechanical test has showed that the Mckay procedure had the best result in the correction of the forefoot adduction. Conclusion For treatment of congenital clubfoot at Grades Ⅰ-Ⅲ, the musclestrength balancing procedure can achieve an excellent correction result; for treatment of congenital clubfoot at Grade Ⅳ, the Mckay procedure should be performed. No matter whichprocedure, the abductor hallucis excision is recommended to prevent poor correction for the anterior foot adduction.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of Ilizarov technique combined with soft tissue release and muscle strength balance in the treatment of spastic clubfoot in adolescents with cerebral palsy.MethodsA retrospective analysis of clinical data of 29 cases (33 feet) of cerebral palsy spastic clubfoot deformity conformed to the selection criteria between June 2011 and September 2016. Among them, 17 were male (20 feet) and 12 were female (13 feet) with an age range from 13 to 28 years (mean, 17.6 years). According to Diméglio classification, 19 feet were rated as gradeⅡ and 14 feet as grade Ⅲ. All patients were treated with soft tissue release and muscle balance, while using Ilizarov technique to correct varus deformity. Began to gradually adjust the external fixator after 5-7 days of operation, until to reach satisfactory foot ankle form. Orthopedic brace was used after removal of external fixator, and the wearing time gradually reduced to completely abandon the brace.ResultsAll 29 patients (33 feet) were followed up 12-22 months with an average of 18 months. All patients restored line plantar foot without needle infection and nerve or vessel injury. One foot had a mild relapse of deformity at 6 months after removal of external fixator, and the gait restored to normal after symptomatic treatment. The rest of 32 feet had no deformity recurrence during the follow-up. At last follow-up, International Club Foot Study Group (ICFSG) score (5.21±3.91) was significantly lower than the preoperative score (36.73±4.80), and the difference was significant (t=47.227, P=0.000). The results were excellent in 27 feet, good in 3 feet, and fair in 3 feet, and the excellent and good rate was 90.91%. The patients were very satisfied in 27 feet and satisfied in 6 feet by self-evaluation of effectiveness.ConclusionIlizarov technique is effective in treatment of clubfoot. And it is also a feasible method to treat spastic clubfoot in adolescents with cerebral palsy when combined with appropriate soft tissue surgery according to the patient’s symptoms and signs.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effectiveness of Ilizarov technique in treatment of the clubfoot after burns.MethodsBetween March 2012 and February 2017, 12 patients (17 feet) with clubfoot after burns were treated with Ilizarov technique. There were 10 males (14 feet) and 2 females (3 feets) with an average age of 38 years (range, 18-52 years). There were 3 cases of left foot, 4 cases of right foot, and 5 cases of both feet. According to the Qin’s classification of clubfoot deformity, there were 5 feet of degreeⅠ, 9 feet of degreeⅡ, and 3 feet of degree Ⅲ.ResultsAll clubfeet were completely corrected without local skin necrosis, needle tract infection, or acroanesthesia. All patients could walk with a heavy load. Pationts were followed up from 4 months to 3 years (mean, 10 months). At last follow-up, according to the International Clubfoot Study Group (ICFSG) score, the effectiveness was rated as excellent in 7 feet, good in 7 feet, and fair in 3 feet, with the excellent and good rate of 82.4%.ConclusionUsing Ilizarov technique can gradually correct the clubfoot deformity with the advantages of minimal invasion, safeness, and simpleness.
Objective To investigate the effectiveness of Ilizarov technique in treatment of rigid congenital clubfoot in older children. Methods A clinical data of 55 patients (69 feet) with rigid congenital clubfoot (Diméglio grade Ⅳ) between September 2005 and September 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 33 boys and 22 girls with an average age of 11 years (range, 6-14 years). There were 41 cases of unilateral clubfoot and 14 cases of bilateral clubfeet. The degree of foot deformity was rated as fair in 24 feet and as poor in 45 feet according to International Clubfoot Study Group (ICFSG) score before operation. Sixty-nine feet were treated by Ilizarov external fixator combined with limited soft tissue release, and 21 feet were combined with individualized V-shaped osteotomies. Results All patients were followed up 2-10 years ( mean, 4.2 years). The incisions healed well after operation. Five cases of needle tract infection occurred and were cured by local dressing change. The effectiveness was excellent in 39 feet, good in 21 feet, and fair in 9 feet according to ICFSG score, with the excellent and good rate of 87.0%. During the follow-up, X-ray films showed that no blood supply disorder or necrosis of talus, scaphoid, cuneiform, metatarsal, calcaneus, and cuboid occurred. No osteomyelitis occurred. Conclusion Ilizarov technique combined with limited soft tissue release or V-shaped osteotomy for the older children with rigid congenital clubfeet is safe and can obtain significant orthopedic effectiveness.