Objective To review the progress in clinical and biomechanical study on soft tissue reconstruction of adult-acquired flatfoot deformity (AAFD). Methods The recent original articles of soft tissue repair and tendon transfer for AAFD were extensively reviewed. Results The soft tissue procedures for AAFD can be divided into two components: static restoration of medial column stability and dynamic reconstruction of the posterior tibial tendon. The most important static structure to be repaired for AAFD is the spring ligament. On the other hand, various methods can be used for dynamic reconstruction. The flexor digitorum longus transfer is widely used, but results of biomechanical studies do not support the advantage of this method. For patients having normal function of the posterior tibial muscle, the Cobb procedure may be more suitable. Conclusion The soft tissue reconstruction procedures of AAFD should be chosen individually based on the stage and type of the deformity.
【Abstract】 Objective To review the basic and clinical research progress of lateral column lengthening (LCL).Methods The recent literature concerning LCL at home and abroad was extensively reviewed, and the research and development were summarized. Results LCL is one of the important surgical procedures for flatfoot deformity, and it has two procedures. There are some disputes in surgical selection of the Evans osteotomy and calcaneocuboid distraction arthrodesis for the treatment of flatfoot deformity. Conclusion Lateral column lengthening has been used more widely in clinical practice, but biomechanical and the long-term follow-up are needed.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the short-term effectiveness of Hyprocure subtalar stabilization for adolescent flexible flatfoot. MethodsBetween December 2013 and September 2015, 14 cases (26 feet) of adolescent flexible flatfoot were treated with Hyprocure subtalar stabilization. There were 10 males (18 feet) and 4 females (8 feet) with the average age of 14.5 years (range, 12-18 years). There were 12 cases (24 feet) of congenital flatfoot and 2 cases (2 feet) of flatfoot caused by neurological diseases. The preoperative pain visual analogue scale (VAS) was 4.2±0.4; the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle and foot function score was 72.2±12.3. Simple Hyprocure subtalar stabilization was used in 8 feet, and a combination of minimally invasive percutaneous Achilles tendon lengthening or gastrocnemius lysis, preposing of posterior tibial tendon and spring ligament tightening surgery, or open dorsal medial cuneiform osteotomy and bone graft in 18 feet. The VAS score and AOFAS ankle and foot function score were used to evaluate the effectiveness. The talus-the first metatarsal angle (T1MT), the talus-the second metatarsal angle (T2MT), and talonavicular coverage angle (TCA) were measured on the anteroposterior X-ray film; the Meary's angle, calcaneal inclination angle (CI), and the talar declination (TD) were measured on the lateral X-ray film. ResultsAll incisions healed well. Two cases (2 feet) had tarsal sinus pain, which was cured after symptomatic treatment. All patients were followed up 5-24 months (mean, 14.5 months). Pain was obviously relieved. At last follow-up, VAS score was significantly decreased to 1.4±0.3 (t=27.676, P=0.000). AOFAS ankle and foot function score was significantly increased to 94.5±10.8 (t=7.765, P=0.000). The postoperative X-ray film showed that medial arch was elevated after the Hyprocure subtalar stabilization was placed in tarsal sinus. At last follow-up, the T1MT, T2MT, TCA, Meary's angle, and TD were significantly improved when compared with preoperative ones (P < 0.05); CI has no significant improvement (t=0.109, P=0.598). ConclusionHyprocure subtalar stabilization is simple, effective for adolescent flexible flatfoot, the short-term effectiveness is good. But the indications should be strictly controlled, treatment should be individualized, corresponding auxiliary soft tissue and bone surgery is needed. The long-term effectiveness needs further follow-up.
ObjectiveTo compare the effectiveness of subtalar arthroereisis (STA) combined with modified Kidner procedure versus STA alone in the treatment of flexible flatfoot combined with painful accessory navicular bone in children. MethodsThe clinical data of 33 children with flexible flatfoot combined with painful accessory navicular bone who were admitted between August 2018 and August 2021 and met the selection criteria were retrospectively analyzed. They were divided into a combination group (17 cases, treated by STA combined with modified Kidner procedure) and a control group (16 cases, treated by STA alone) according to the surgical methods. There was no significant difference in baseline data between the two groups (P>0.05), such as gender, age, affected side of the foot, disease duration, and preoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) score, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score, talus-first metatarsal angle (T1MT), talus-second metatarsal angle (T2MT), talonavicular coverage angle (TCA), talus first plantar angle (Meary angle), calcaneal inclination angle (Pitch angle), and heel valgus angle (HV). The operation time, incision length, intraoperative blood loss, number of intraoperative fluoroscopies, and perioperative complications were recorded in both groups. The anteroposterior, lateral, and calcaneal axial X-ray films for the affected feet were taken regularly, and T1MT, T2MT, TCA, Meary angle, Pitch angle, and HV were measured. The VAS score, AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score were used to evaluate pain and functional recovery before and after operation. ResultsSurgeries in both groups were successfully performed without surgical complication such as vascular, nerve, or tendon injuries. Less operation time, shorter incision length, less intraoperative blood loss, and fewer intraoperative fluoroscopies were found in the control group than in the combination group (P<0.05). One case in the combination group had partial necrosis of the skin at the edge of the incision, which healed after the dressing change and infrared light therapy, and the rest of the incisions healed by first intention. All children were followed up 12-36 months, with a mean of 19.6 months. At last follow-up, VAS score and AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score significantly improved in both groups when compared with preoperative ones (P<0.05), and the differences of these scores between before and after operation improved more significantly in the combination group than in the control group (P<0.05). Imaging results showed that the T1MT, T2MT, TCA, Meary angle, and HV significantly improved in both groups at last follow-up when compared with preoperative ones (P<0.05), and the Pitch angle had no significant difference when compared with preoperative one (P>0.05). But there was no significant difference in the difference of these indicators between before and after operation between the two groups (P>0.05).ConclusionBoth procedures are effective in the treatment of flexible flatfoot children with painful accessory navicular bone. STA has the advantage of minimally invasive, while STA combined with modified Kidner procedure has better effectiveness.
Objective To explore the influencing factors of flexible flatfoot in preschool children and the therapeutic effects of orthopedic insoles intervention. Methods Convenient sampling method was used to select 1-to-6-year-old children who visited the Prosthetics and Orthotics, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University between April 2019 and December 2023. According to the follow-up visits of children wearing orthopedic insoles after 1 year, the follow-up group was divided into the experimental group, and those who did not follow up were matched with the experimental group based on general information to form the control group. The degree of flatfoot of both feet, hallux valgus angle, heel valgus angle, knee valgus angle, navicular drop height, tibial torsion angle, foot posture index, and joint flexibility of children at the initial visit and follow-up were evaluated. Ordered multinomial logistic regression analysis was used to assess the factors influencing the degree of flatfoot of children’s feet. Results A total of 976 children were included at the initial visit, all wearing orthopedic insoles. Among them, there were 805 cases in the control group and 171 cases in the experimental group. There were no statistically significant differences in gender, age, height, or weight between the two groups (P>0.05). A comparison of the experimental group before and after wearing orthopedic insoles for 1 year showed that the degree of flatfoot of both feet, heel valgus angle, knee valgus angle, foot posture index, and joint flexibility were lower at the follow-up visit than those at the initial visit (P<0.05); the remaining parameters showed no statistically significant differences (P>0.05). At the follow-up visit of the experimental group, both heel valgus angle, knee valgus angle, and foot posture index were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05); the other parameters showed no statistically significant differences (P>0.05). Age and tibial torsion angle were negatively correlated with the degree of flatfoot (P<0.001), while hallux valgus angle, heel valgus angle, knee valgus angle, navicular drop height, foot posture index, and body mass index were positively correlated with the degree of flatfoot (P<0.05). There was a difference in the degree of flatfoot between male and female children (χ2=99.76, P<0.001). The results of the logistic regression analysis showed that navicular drop height, male gender, foot posture index, body mass index, heel valgus angle, and age were influencing factors of the degree of flatfoot (P<0.05). Conclusions The flexible flatfoot in preschool children is influenced by factors such as navicular drop height, gender, foot posture index, body mass index, heel valgus angle, and age, and it will be somewhat alleviated as they grow. Wearing orthopedic insoles can correct related biomechanical abnormalities of heel valgus and knee valgus to some extent, but it cannot significantly reduce the degree of flatfoot.