The use of the Ilizarov method in management of relapsed club foot.

The aim of this article was to evaluate the results of relapsed club foot management using a simple frame construct of Ilizarov external fixator. Between 2003 and 2008, 18 feet in 13 patients with relapsed club feet were treated by Ilizarov external fixator. All patients underwent previous surgery (1-3 operations). Average patient age at the time of the operation was 5.5 years and the average follow-up period was 15.8 months. Midtarsal osteotomy was undertaken in 3 feet and soft tissue distraction was undertaken in 15 feet with no soft tissue release except in 3 feet that needed tendoachillis lengthening. The average time of fixator application was 4.5 months. Out of 18 feet, 2 (11.1%) were rated as excellent, 11 (61.1%) as good, 4 (22.2%) as fair, and 1 (5.6%) as poor. Excellent and good results (72.2%) were considered satisfactory, while fair and poor results (27.8%) were considered unsatisfactory. Thus, the Ilizarov technique gave satisfactory results in cases of relapsed club foot that were difficult to treat by conventional methods. Longer follow-up is needed to assess the achieved correction and to detect any recurrence of the deformity.