[The bridle procedure in treatment of foot deformity in children with slight cerebral spastic paralysis].

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effectiveness of the Bridle procedure in treatment of foot deformity in children with slight cerebral spastic paralysis.

METHODS

From February 1993 to April 1999, 32 cases with 57 deformed feet, due to slight cerebral spastic paralysis, which included 20 males and 12 females, ranging from 4 to 14 years old, were reported after 6 to 74 months' follow-up, averaging 38 months. Bilateral feet were involved in 25 cases and unilateral feet involved in 7 cases. The deformities in all feet, including 26 feet of acroceph-foot deformity in 15 cases, 13 equinovarus deformity in 8 cases and 18 scissors gait deformity in 9 cases, were treated by Bridle procedure, followed by temporal external fixation of long-leg plaster splint for 6 to 8 weeks.

RESULTS

Clinical observation revealed complete and permanent correction of deformity in 48 out of all 57 feet (84.2%), reoccurrence of deformity in 7 feet (12.3%), and occurrence of valgus deformity in 2 feet (3.5%). No joint stiffness was observed.

CONCLUSION

The Bridle procedure is an easily performed operation and effective in the treatment of foot deformity in children with slight cerebral spastic paralysis.