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.
Objective To analyze the excision of accessory navicular with reconstruction of posterior tibial tendon insertion on navicular for the treatment of flatfoot related with accessory navicular and to evaluate its effectiveness. Methods Between May 2006 and June 2011, 33 patients (40 feet) with flatfoot related with accessory navicular were treated. There were 14 males (17 feet) and 19 females (23 feet) with an average age of 30.1 years (range, 16-56 years). All patients had bilateral accessory navicular; 26 had unilateral flatfoot and 7 had bilateral flatfeet. The disease duration ranged from 7 months to 9 years (median, 24 months). The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-midfoot score was 47.9 ± 7.3. The X-ray films showed type II accessory navicular, the arch height loss, and heel valgus in all patients. All of them received excision of accessory navicular and reconstruction of posterior tibial tendon insertion on navicular with anchor. Results All patients got primary wound heal ing without any compl ication. Thirty patients (36 feet) were followed up 6-54 months with an average of 23 months. All patients achieved complete pain rel ief at 6 months after surgery and hadgood appearance of the feet. The AOFAS ankle-midfoot score was 90.4 ± 2.0 at last follow-up, showing significant difference when compared with preoperative score (t=29.73, P=0.00). X-ray films showed that no screw loosening or breakage was observed. There were significant differences in the arch height, calcaneus incl ination angle, talocalcaneal angle, and talar-first metatarsal angle between pre-operation and last follow-up (P lt; 0.01). Conclusion The excision of accessory navicular with reconstruction of posterior tibial tendon insertion on navicular is a good choice for the treatment of flatfoot related with accessory navicular, with correction of deformity, excellent effectiveness, and less complications.
Objective To assess the curative effect of the subtalararthrodesis on the serious subtalar joint with the posterior tibial tendon dysfunction.Methods From October 2000 to February 2006, 31 patients (18 males, 13 females; age 23-62 years, averaged 36.4years) with serious subtalar joint osteoarthrisis and stage Ⅱ posterior tibial tendon dysfunction were treated by the subtalar arthrodesis. The tibial tendon dysfunction involved 15 right and 16 left lower extremities, which were caused by retrograde osteoarthritis in 14 patients,sequel of an injury in 8 patients, infection in 7 patients, and anatomic structural abnormity in 2 patients. The treatment course averaged 9.5 months (range, 6-30 months). Before the subtalar arthrodesis, the injured tendons were repaired, and then the bone grafting was performed in the tarsus sinus. All of the patients were assessed before and after operation according to the Hindfoot scores system (American Orthopedics Foot and Ankle Society, AOFAS). Results Among the patients, 28 were followed up on an average of 23.6 months (range, 8-61 months). The AOFAS scores ranged from 45.30±1.08 before operation to 79.60±2.14 afteroperation. The pain indexes ranged from 15.40±2.23 before operation to 38.50±2.61 after operation. The functional indexes of the foot and ankle joint ranged from averaged 21.60±3.01 before operation to averaged 37.40±2.83 after operation. The statistical analysis of the t-test on all the above data showed that there was a significant difference between beforeoperation and after operation (P＜0.01). The angles between the longitudinal line of the talar and the calcaneal bone were 43.70±1.06° before operation and 29.40±0.98° after operation, and the deviation angles between the calcanealline and the talus were 48.20±0.85° before operation and 39.40±1.02° after operation. There was a significant difference between before operation and after operation (P＜0.01). Conclusion The subtalar arthrodesis combined with the bone grafting in the tarsus sinus and the repair of the injured tendons can effectivelycorrect the deformity of the deformity of the metapodium, relieve the pain, retin the adjacent joint motion ability, and this method can be recommended for the adult patient who suffers from serious subtalar osteoarthritis and stage Ⅱ osterior tibial tendon dysfunction.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effectiveness of double arthrodesis to correct flatfoot deformity with pes valgus. MethodsBetween May 2009 and May 2012, 12 patients with flatfoot deformity and pes valgus were treated using subtalar and talonavicular joints arthrodesis through a single medial incision approach. There were 5 males and 7 females with an average age of 53.3 years (range, 21-78 years), including 5 left feet and 7 right feet. Of them, 11 cases had posterior tibial tendon dysfunctions; 6 cases were at Johnson-Strom stageⅢ, 5 cases at stageⅡ(c); and 1 case had tarsal coal ition. Preoperative American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score and visual analogue scale (VAS) score were 48.75±3.46 and 6.08±1.14, respectively. ResultsThe mean operation time was 85.6 minutes (range, 65-125 minutes). Eleven patients were followed up for 19.4 months on average (range, 13-30 months). All of the cases obtained primary healing of incision, with no complication of infection and nerve or blood vessel injury. X-ray film showed that the mean time of bone union was 9.8 weeks (range, 7-18 weeks); no bone nonunion occurred. No loosening or breakage of internal fixation was observed. Pain occurred at the calcaneal-cuboid joint (1 case) and at fixation site (1 case), and was relieved after symptomatic treatment. The mean AOFAS score and VAS score were significantly increased to 81.36±2.98 and 0.72±0.11 respectively, showing significant differences when compared with preoperative scores (t=19.946, P=0.000; t=16.288, P=0.000). ConclusionSubtalar and talonavicular joints arthrodesis by a single medial incision approach is a useful alternative to tri ple arthrodesis for the correction of flatfoot deformity with pes valgus