Anterior transfer of the toe flexors for equinovarus deformity of the foot.

Anterior transfer of the long toe flexors was carried out for the treatment of spastic equinovarus foot deformity in both adults and children. Adults included those with hemiplegia subsequent to a stroke, spastic hemiplegia due to cerebral palsy and spastic spinal paraplegia. Most of the children had cerebral palsy. The transfer was indicated for an equinovarus foot with persistent activity of the toe flexors, which produced curling of the toes in the swing phase of the gait or a fixed hammer toe deformity. Fifty six patients were followed up for more than four years. In all cases correction of the equinovarus deformity was achieved and maintained. With satisfactory correction stability of the ankle improved, postural abnormalities during gait decreased and bracing was not required. This study demonstrates the advantage of the long toe flexors for muscle transfer in these patients. The length of tendon available permitted easy transfer to the metatarsal. The defunctioning of the spastic muscles allowed gait improvement and function of the tibialis posterior and tibialis anterior was preserved.