Results of Primary Talectomy for Clubfoot in Infants and Toddlers with Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita.

BACKGROUND

Equinovarus deformity in arthrogryposis multiplex congenita patients is rigid and difficult to treat. Radical soft tissue operations yielded good results though recurrence of deformity was high. Talectomy is a bony procedure recommended as either a salvage procedure or a primary operation.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the results ofprimary talectomy in infant and toddler patients retrospectively.

MATERIAL AND METHOD: Arthrogryposis multiplex congenita patients with rigid equinovarus deformity treated with talectomy initially were retrospectively reviewed. Pain score, residual foot deformity, shoe modification, and ambulatory status were assessed.

RESULTS

Talectomy were performed in 19 arthrogrypotic feet in 10 infants and toddlers. There were 6 males and 4 females. The mean age at surgery was 1.3 years old and the mean age of the follow-up time was 4.9 years. All patients had plantigrade foot without pain. One arthrogrypotic foot required posteromedial release 2 years after index surgery due to recurrent deformity.

CONCLUSION

Talectomy as theprimaryprocedure in arthrogrypotic infants and toddlers demonstrated good results withfew residual deformities and recurrence. Patients could achieve plantigrade position.