J Korean Orthop Assoc.
1998 Oct;33(5):1379-1384.
Factors Affecting Recurrence After Soft Tissue Release for Talipes Equinovarus in Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita
Abstract
- Talipes equinovarus deformity associated with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita(AMC) is rigid and its treatment is still controversial. The purpose of this study is to review the trend of recurrence after soft tissue release, and to delineate the risk factors affecting recurrence. Forty-one clubfeet in 24 AMC patients underwent soft tissue release as the first operation at the average age of 1 year 2 months (range, 6 months - 5 years 11 months) and were followed up for an average of 5 year 6 months (range, 2 years 1 month 14 years 5 months). Types of soft tissue release were Turcos posteromedial release (PMR) in 26 cases and posteromediolateral release (PMLR) using the modified Cincinati incision in 15 cases. Recurrences occurred in seventeen clubfeet (41%). A variety of recurrent deformity was corrected by redo PMR or PMLR, osteotomy, talectomy, arthrodesis, or Ilizarov technique. Average number of operations was 1.5 per case. Four parameters were analyzed in relation to recurrence: type of arthrogryposis, initial equinus deformity, type of primary soft tissue release, and age at the first operation. Recurrence occurred in proportion to the severity of initial equinus deformity, and was more frequent in amyoplasia type than in distal arthrogryposis type. However, neither the type of soft tissue release nor the age at the first operation was significant contributing factor to recurrence.
