Level III, Retrospective comparative study.

No abstract

Background The treatment of rigid equinocavovarus foot deformities caused by neurologic disorders is often difficult and relapse is common. Questions/purposes We asked whether the Ilizarov technique could be used for correction of neurologic equinocavovarus foot deformities resulting in improved foot and ankle function and patient satisfaction. Patients and Methods The neurologic equinocavovarus foot deformities of 26 patients (mean age, 18.7 years; 29 feet) were treated using the Ilizarov technique. Nine feet were treated by distraction histiogenesis only with limited soft tissue release, whereas 20 feet needed additional osteotomy and/or tendon transfer/lengthening. Minimum followup was 12 months (mean, 72.9 months; range, 12-155 months). Results The mean time required for deformity correction was 27.1 days (range, 14-47 days) and the mean time for stabilization in the apparatus was 23.2 days (range, 7-53 days). A painless, stable, and plantigrade result was obtained by 22 patients (24 feet). Mild residual foot deformity was observed in the remaining five feet of four