The Surgical Treatment of Claw-Foot

Kim, Sae Dong; Min, Kyong Sun; Lee, Jin Sik; Ban, Jae Yule

Abstract

The claw-foot deformity is only a symptom of some primary lesion, not an entity in itself. The treatment of claw-foot usually depends on the type and severity of the deformity. In the past two years, authors have treated 7 cases of claw-foot, 3 of which were treated by Cole's anterior tarsal wedge osteotomy and 4 cases by Japas "V"-osteotomy of tarsus. In all 7 cases, Steindler's plantar fasciotomy for cavus deformity were combined and 1 case was combined with Achilles tendon lengthening. The followings were noted. 1. AlI patients were military personals and the ages were between 21 to 27 years old male. 2. Two patients were bilateral claw-foot deformity and both sides were operated. 3. The causes were secondary to poliomyelitis in one case and the others were idiopathic. 4. Postoperative complications were skin necrosis in one case and sensory disturbance on the dorsum of the first web space of the foot in 3 cases. 5. All patients can walk and run without pain after average 1 year follow-up period.