Background:
Rigid ankle and foot deformities as a sequela of relapsed talipes
equinovarus or vascular or neurological disorders are a challenge
for orthopedic surgeons. This study introduces a bloodless
technique to correct the deformities of the ankle in patients
with these disorders using the Taylor Spatial Frame (TSF).
Methods:
Eighteen feet in 18 patients with equinovarus deformities were
prospectively enrolled in this study. All patients underwent preoperative clinical evaluation that included neurovascular assessment.
Deformity components were measured using a goniometer. All
patients had gradual correction of the rigid equinovarus ankle and
foot by TSF without any soft-tissue or bony procedures. Preoperative
and postoperative ankle and foot equinus and varus angles, in
association with the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society
(AOFAS) score, were used for assessment of the functional outcome.
Results:
There were 13 male patients (72.2%) and five female patients
(27%). The mean age of the patients was 25.89 (range 14 to 43,
SD 7.28) years. The right side was affected in 11 patients
(61.1%), and left side was affected in seven patients (38.9%). At
the final follow-up the average AOFAS ankle hindfoot scores
improved from 25.17 (range 12 to 39, SD 9.91) preoperatively
to 74.78 (range 48 to 88, SD 15.33) postoperatively, (t=22.13,
P