A Two-Stage Stabilization Procedure for Correction of Calcaneocavus

¹ Shriners' Hospital for Crippled Children, St. Louis

1. Advanced calcaneocavus includes structural bone changes in the calcaneus, as evidenced by an increase in the tuber angle.

2. The objective in the treatment of calcaneocavus is to obtain a corrected, stable foot which is as nearly normal in appearance as possible and which will afford a good weight-bearing surface when fitted with a normal shoe.

3. Shifting the foot posteriorly in order to obtain a long posterior lever arm is felt to be unsound and undesirable if a secondary foot deformity is thereby produced.

4. The two-stage operative procedure for stabilization of the calcaneocavus foot which has been presented facilitates the removal of a posterior bone wedge from the subtalar joint, allowing rotation of the calcaneus to a horizontal position and restoring heel length.

5. Immediate postoperative care is nsecessary in order to minimize complications due to pressure within the cast.

6. In a preliminary survey it was found that the objectives of the operation were obtained in twenty-one of the twenty-four feet available for evaluation.

7. A major complication occurred in only one case. There were no infections.

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