Single stage surgical correction of congenital vertical talus by complete subtalar release and peritalar reduction by using the Cincinnati incision

Seventeen feet of 12 patients with congenital vertical talus, which were treated with a single-stage surgical correction of complete subtalar release and peritalar reduction by using the Cincinnati incision, were reviewed. Five of the feet were associated with neuromuscular disorders, four with neural tube defects, and eight were idiopathic. All patients were operated on by the same surgeon and all were available for clinical and radiographic follow-up averaging 42.9 months (range 19-81) from the time of surgery. There were no wound complications or avascular necrosis of the talus. None required subsequent reoperation. At final follow-up, results were based on clinical and radiographic outcomes and included five excellent, eight good, two fair, and two poor. All families were satisfied with the results and appearance of the feet. Radiographically, there was a significant improvement in the anteroposterior and lateral talocalcaneal and talo-first metatarsal angles, and at follow-up, the group averages for each of these angles were within the normal ranges. In the treatment of congenital vertical talus, good clinical and radiographic outcomes can be obtained, with a low incidence of complications, using this single-stage surgical correction procedure.