Journal List > J Korean Foot Ankle Soc > v.20(1) > 1043412

Lee and Jung: Treatment of Flatfoot Deformity

Abstract

Flatfoot deformity, defined as loss of medial longitudinal arch, sometimes involves symptoms such as medial arch pain or Achilles tendon tightening, etc. Whether the etiology of deformity is congenital or acquired, i.e., posterior tibial tendon dysfunction, symptoms are largely resolved with conservative treatment including medication, orthoses, and activity modification. Surgery should be considered in cases of failure of conservative treatment and clinicians can select an appropriate technique among many surgical options including calcaneal osteotomy or flexor digitorum longus tendon transfer. Principles of corrective surgery include the recovery of alignment and the preservation of joint motion.

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Figure 1.
Flexor digitorum longus (FDL) transfer procedure. (A) Photograph shows isolated FDL tendon. Drilling at the navicular tuberosity (B), then tenodesis is performed Fig. 1C and D.
jkfas-20-6f1.tif
Figure 2.
Fluoroscopy shows medial sliding calcaneal osteotomy at sagittal view (A) and axial view (B).
jkfas-20-6f2.tif
Figure 3.
(A) Interpositional allo-bone graft was performed at calcaneal anterior process. (B) Postoperative lateral standing radiograph shows elevated calcaneal pitch after lateral column lengthening.
jkfas-20-6f3.tif
Figure 4.
Preoperative flatfoot deformity (A) was improved after subtalar arthroereisis (B).
jkfas-20-6f4.tif
Figure 5.
Multiple arthritic change with severe deformity (A) usually requires triple arthrodesis procedure (B).
jkfas-20-6f5.tif
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