Failure of Surgical Treatment in Patients with Cavovarus Deformity: Why Does This Happen and How Do We Approach Treatment?

Shuyuan Li; Mark S Myerson

doi:10.1016/j.fcl.2019.02.008

Failure of Surgical Treatment in Patients with Cavovarus Deformity: Why Does This Happen and How Do We Approach Treatment?

Foot Ankle Clin. 2019 Jun;24(2):361-370. doi: 10.1016/j.fcl.2019.02.008. Epub 2019 Apr 6.

Authors

Shuyuan Li¹, Mark S Myerson²

Affiliations

¹ Steps2Walk, 1209 Harbor Island Walk, Baltimore, MD 21230, USA. Electronic address: drshuyuanli@gmail.com.
² Steps2Walk, 1209 Harbor Island Walk, Baltimore, MD 21230, USA.

PMID: 31036273
DOI: 10.1016/j.fcl.2019.02.008

Abstract

Recurrent deformity after surgical treatment of the cavus foot occurs because a procedure is not performed at the apex of the deformity. In many instances there are multiple apices and, in addition to hindfoot osteotomy or arthrodesis, the midfoot must be corrected. There is not much of a role for the Coleman block test to determine flexibility of the foot, and this has led to many failures where the foot was believed flexible and an osteotomy was insufficient treatment. Skeletal correction, even if perfect, does not last unless the foot is balanced with appropriate tendon transfers.

Keywords: Apex of the deformity; Arthrodesis; Cavus foot; Muscle imbalance; Mutiplanar deformity; Osteotomy; Surgery.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Arthrodesis / adverse effects*
Humans
Osteotomy / adverse effects*
Secondary Prevention
Talipes Cavus / physiopathology*
Talipes Cavus / surgery*
Treatment Failure