The Vulpius procedure for correction of equinus deformity in cerebral palsy

Seventy-nine Vulpius procedures were performed on 47 patients with equinus contractures. There were three recurrences, three cases of overlengthening, and no painful or hypertropic scars. All patients functioned at the same or a higher level after the procedure.     

Surgical correction of equinus deformity in children with cerebral palsy: a systematic review

Purpose  

Equinus is the most common deformity in cerebral palsy. However, despite the large volume of published studies, there are poor levels of evidence to support surgical intervention. This study was undertaken to examine the current evidence base for the surgical management of equinus deformity in cerebral palsy.     

The importance of gastrocnemius recession in the correction of equinus deformity in cerebral palsy.

Spasm or contracture of the gastrocnemius muscle is predominantly responsible for the equinus deformity of the foot in cerebral palsy. Its release is therefore logical in the treatment of all cases which do not respond to conservative measures. The authors have demonstrated, by the use of metal markers and radiographic control at operation, that adequate release cannot be achieved by severance of the calcaneal tendon alone, and that in order to ensure relaxation of the gastrocnemius muscle, the operation of choice is gastrocnemius recession by the method of Strayer, coupled with lengthening of the calcaneal tendon to deal with such degree of the deformity as may be attributable to shortening of the soleus. A survey of 100 limbs treated by this method revealed a recurrence rate of equinus of 9% and a degree of calcaneus deformity resulting in inadequate push-off in 3% of cases after an average follow-up period of six years.     

Adult-onset hemiplegia: changes in gait after muscle-balancing procedures to correct the equinus deformity

Fifty-four adult patients with acquired spastic equinus and equinovarus deformity were treated with lengthening of the Achilles tendon, lateral transfer of the anterior tibial tendon, and appropriate muscle releases. All patients had preoperative dynamic electromyography and electrogoniometry performed in order to assist in planning the surgical procedures and to provide a baseline assessment of the dynamic deformities. Preoperatively, the stance and double-support phases of gait were prolonged. Throughout the stance phase, the gait of these patients was characterized by equinus deformity of the ankle, decreased flexion of the knee (hyperextension in the most severely involved patients), and increased flexion of the hip (which also varied with the severity of the equinus deformity of the ankle and hyperextension of the knee). In all patients, the operation was performed at least one year after onset of the hemiplegia. Clinical follow-up at an average of thirty months (range, twenty-four to sixty-two months) showed that the equinus deformity was corrected in all patients and that 59 per cent of them were brace-free. Two patients had a superficial infection that healed uneventfully, and two had pull-out of the tendon that required reoperation. Postoperative analyses of gait, performed at least one year after surgery for twenty-seven of the patients, showed that the stance and double-support phases of gait (which had been prolonged before surgery) approached the findings in normal control subjects.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Ilizarov 技术矫治马蹄足畸形中胫距关节前脱位的治疗及预防

 目的 总结 Ilizarov 技术矫治马蹄足畸形中发生胫距关节前脱位的概率、治疗及预防方法。方法 回顾性分析 2011 年 10 月至 2012 年 4 月,应用 Ilizarov 技术矫治 38 例马蹄足畸形患者资料,其中 5 例于术后 14～28 d 发生胫距关节前脱位,男 4 例,女 1 例;年龄 19～30 岁,平均 23.8 岁;均为马蹄内翻足畸形患者。5 例患者初次手术采用 Ilizarov 技术矫治马蹄足畸形,同时行经皮跟腱延长术、经皮跖腱膜切断术、胫后肌松解、胫前肌移位,其中 4 例同期行距骨周围截骨术,1 例同期行第一跖骨基底截骨术,1 例同期行胫骨近端去旋转截骨术;发生胫距关节前脱位后,1 例经手法复位,4 例使用 Ilizarov 复位装置后继续按原计划牵伸调整外固定架矫形,直至满意。结果 5 例马蹄内翻足畸形患者在行 Ilizarov 技术矫形过程中发生胫距关节前脱位的概率为 13.2%（5/38）。5 例患者均获得随访,随访时间 6～12 个月,平均 10 个月,马蹄足畸形均完全矫正。末次随访时应用国际马蹄足畸形研究学组评分为 3～10 分,平均 4.8 分;其中优 2 例,良 3 例,优良率为 100%。无一例发生钉道感染、神经血管损伤、血栓等并发症。结论 胫距关节脱位是 Ilizarov 技术矫治马蹄足畸形中较常见的并发症,发生率约为 13%。发生胫距关节前脱位后,及时安装距骨复位装置可获得良好效果。围手术期管理应注意外固定铰链关节与踝关节瞬时旋转中心的匹配。     

Recurrence after correction of acquired ankle equinus deformity in children using Ilizarov technique

To describe our Ilizarov technique for the treatment of acquired equinus deformity in children and to determine if compliance with continuous use of an ankle foot orthosis (after removal of the fixator and until skeletal maturity) can influence the severity of recurrence. A cohort of 26 children with post-traumatic or post-burn contractures producing an equinus deformity was followed up for a minimum of 2 years after skeletal maturity. Cases with a bony deformity and/or nerve injury were excluded from this study. All patients were managed by a percutaneous tendo-Achilles lengthening followed by application of an Ilizarov external fixator. Post-operative treatment was in the form of gradual correction at a rate of 0.5 mm per day. Correction started from the second postoperative day until an over-correction of 15 degrees dorsiflexion was achieved. Ankle range of movement was encouraged 4 weeks prior to removal of the external fixator. On removal of the fixator, a posterior splint was applied until substituted by an ankle foot orthoses (AFO). The AFO was used continuously during the first 2–3 months and at nighttime thereafter until skeletal maturity. Fifteen children were compliant with the use of the AFO until skeletal maturity and 11 non-compliant. We compared the recurrence and the size of deformity between the two groups. The rate of recurrence, degree of equinus at recurrence and number of episodes of external fixation surgery showed statistical significant differences (P < 0.01) between the groups. The Ilizarov technique for treatment of acquired equinus deformity secondary to soft tissue scarring is a safe and effective technique. The use of an AFO until skeletal maturity can decrease the risk and degree of recurrence.     

Antenna procedure for the correction of hook nail deformity

A total of seven antenna procedures for hooknail deformity were performed between 1990 and 2000. At a mean follow-up of 3 years 4 months there were no major complications, all patients had an improvement in their deformity (subjectively and objectively) and were pleased with their results. Some residual deformity remained in all cases including shortening of the nail, contour defect of the pulp and flattening or residual curvature of the nail.     

Ilizarov外固定架治疗创伤性马蹄足

目的探讨应用Ilizarov外固定支架治疗创伤性马蹄足的疗效。方法2003年2月～2005年8月应用Ilizarov外固定架治疗17例创伤所致马蹄足患者。将组装好的Ilizarov外固定架按照Ilizarov的穿针固定原则安装在患侧小腿和足部。术后3d开始转动螺纹杆上的螺母,第1周旋转螺母2～4圈/d,4次/d;1周后旋转螺母1～2圈/d,4次/d,分别逐渐缩短和延长前、后螺纹杆,矫正马蹄足畸形。用伊氏架将踝关节固定在中立位2～3个月。去除外固定架后让患者逐渐增加负重量直至完全负重。不负重时穿戴支具保持踝关节处于中立位至少3个月。结果17例患者均得到随访,平均随访10个月(7～14个月)。术后4～6周踝关节恢复到中立位。平均带外固定架14.5周(10～16周)。无血管、神经损伤。3例各1处针道轻度感染,对症处理后感染消失。1例诉矫正过程中疼痛,术后10周去除外固定架,去除外固定架后6周时僵直在跖屈20°。1例去除外固定架4个月后僵直在跖屈10°。1例小腿前后肌群损伤严重合并胫骨骨缺损重建术后踝关节矫正到中立位后1.5个月行踝关节融合术,融合术后3个月去除外固定架。其余14例达到0°全足负重,行走时无明显足下垂。2例负重时疼痛。踝关节背伸肌群功能存在的患者,踝关节可主动背伸10°。结论Ilizarov外固定架是治疗创伤性马蹄足的微创技术。     

The management of equinus deformity in Duchenne muscular dystrophy

Equinus deformity of the ankle is one of the serious orthopaedic problems associated with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Sixty-nine patients (age range 4 to 17 years) were treated, 43 conservatively and 26 operatively. They were followed up at six-monthly intervals for a minimum of two years and a maximum of six years. The patients were divided into three groups: independently mobile, mobile in calipers, and wheelchair-bound. It was found that conservative treatment could at best only minimise progression of the deformity. The indications for surgery, the operative procedure and the postoperative management are described; all varied according to the stage of the disease. The postoperative follow-up suggests that, though the deformity recurs, the patients have several years of benefit from the procedure.     

Prevention of equinus deformity during tibial lengthening

Summary. We have reviewed 28 tibial lengthenings in 14 patients with achondroplasia at an average age of 15 years, and compared the effectiveness of physiotherapy and an orthosis in preventing an equinus deformity. Physiotherapy of 15 min a day was ineffective even when the patients were able to walk. An orthosis worn for 16 h a day prevented equinus deformity up to at least 50% of lengthening, and the difference from physiotherapy was significant at more than 30% of lengthening.

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Résumé. Nous avons examiné après traitement 28 allongements tibiaux chez 14 patients souffrant d’achondroplasie et ayant un age moyen de 15 ans (étalement: de 9 à 24 ans) afin de comparer l’efficacité de la physiothérapie et de l’orthèse dans la prévention de l’équin. Une physiothérapie à raison de 15 minutes par jour à domicile (n = 12) n’a pas été efficace, même dans le cas de patients marchant et participant à des activités sociales telles que l’école ou le travail. La déformation en équin est apparue avec un allongement de 30% et a atteint une moyenne de 30 degrés avec un allongement de 50%. En revanche, l’orthèse avec un port d’au moins 16 heures par jour (n = 10) s’est révélée efficace dans la prévention de la déformation jusqu’à un allongement d’au moins 50%, la différence avec la physiothérapie étant significative (p <0.01) au-delà d’un allongement de 30%. Lorsque nous évaluons les deux méthodes de physiothérapie et de traitement par orthèse en fonction du mode d’étirement des tissus mous, l’effet de la physiothéraphie est intermittent et en général d’une durée insuffisante alors que celui de l’orthèse est continu et peut avoir une durée appropriée si l’appareil est porté assez longtemps. Il semble essentiel pour l’allongement des parties molles d’adopter une méthode leur appliquant un étirement continu et prolongé.

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Accepted: 23 January 1996     

Heel cord advancement for treatment of equinus deformity in cerebral palsy

Spastic equinus deformity is common in patients with cerebral palsy. Since 1981, 612 anterior transpositions of the Achilles tendon as described by Murphy have been performed. One hundred patients with at least 30 months' follow-up were selected and retrospectively reviewed. Good correction of the equinus deformity was obtained without the need for prolonged bracing. No patient had a calcaneal gait or recurrence of equinus.     

Tendo-achilles lengthening and total contact casting for plantar forefoot ulceration in diabetic patients with equinus deformity of the ankle

Total contact casting has been successful in treating neuropathic foot ulcers, but little information is available abouttreating patients with diabetes mellitus for whom total contact casting treatment for forefoot ulceration fails. Equinus deformity of the ankle and limited joint motion in a neuropathic foot can lead to abnormal foot pressures, resulting in failure of total contact casting. This report describes the technique of tendo-Achilles lengthening in conjunction with total contact casting and reports the results achieved in a randomly selected group of diabetic patients with unhealed forefoot ulcerations. Surgical correction with percutaneous tendo-Achilles lengthening and total contact casting can result in rapid healing of the forefoot ulcer and helps prevent ulcer recurrence.     

Surgical correction of spinal deformity in patients with congenital muscular dystrophy

Background  

Congenital muscular dystrophy (CMD), among the myopathic disorders is one form of flaccid neuromuscular disorder (NMD). Patients with NMD frequently develop progressive spinal deformity. For NMD patients who have a severe spinal deformity, sitting is often difficult and is accompanied by pain and breakdown of the skin. Spinal deformity surgery in these patients has been highly effective in stabilizing the spine, maintaining upright, comfortable sitting balance, and improving patients’ quality of life. However, many studies have reported significant rates of peri/postoperative complications in these patients. To our knowledge, there has been no study on the results of spinal deformity surgery in patients with CMD. The purpose of this study was to review the clinical and radiological results of spinal deformity surgery in this group of patients with CMD.