Two Staged Surgical Treatment of Post-Traumatic Severe Ankle Equinus Deformity: Preliminary Report

Kim, Jung Ho; Lee, Jun Young; Ha, Sang Ho; You, Jae Won; Lee, Sang Hong; Na, Woong Chae

Abstract

PURPOSE
To evaluate the effectiveness as well as correct the post-traumatic severe ankle equinus deformity by conducting the treatment surgery, which is divided into 2 stages, soft tissue adhesiolysis and ankle arthrodesis.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We have conducted the methods, which are Z-plasty Achilles tendon lengthening, multiple capsulotomy and tendon lengthening (flexor hallucis longus muscle, flexor digitorum longus, posterior tibialis tendon) for 10 patients who has shown equinus deformity after post-traumatic compartment syndrome due to the injury. The average age of patients was 33.7 year-old; there were 8 men and 2 women, and the follow up period was 13 months (6~31 mon). Outcomes were rated based on American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and patient's satisfaction after operation.
RESULTS
The average degree of preoperative equinus deformity was 64 degree (-60~-70), and we've obtained AOFAS anklehindfoot score that was evaluated after 4 months of 2nd operation which was 76.7 score on average. We've also checked the decreased pain score from all of the patients according to the fact that the average VAS before the surgery was 6 (4~8), but it reduced to 3 (1~4). The patient's satisfaction showed generally great satisfactions which was 5 cases were excellent, 2 cases were good, and 3 cases were fair.
CONCLUSION
The two staged surgical treatment of post -traumatic severe ankle equinus deformity, which was conducted of soft tissue adhesiolysis and arthrodesis, could be one of the effective methods to improve patients walking ability.