title: The management of equinus deformity in Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
abstract: Equinus deformity of the ankle is one of the serious orthopaedic problems associated with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Sixty-nine patients (age range 4 to 17 years) were treated, 43 conservatively and 26 operatively. They were followed up at six-monthly intervals for a minimum of two years and a maximum of six years. The patients were divided into three groups: independently mobile, mobile in calipers, and wheelchair-bound. It was found that conservative treatment could at best only minimise progression of the deformity. The indications for surgery, the operative procedure and the postoperative management are described; all varied according to the stage of the disease. The postoperative follow-up suggests that, though the deformity recurs, the patients have several years of benefit from the procedure.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D002370:Casts, Surgical; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003025:Clubfoot / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005528:Foot / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008124:Locomotion; D008297:Male; D009136:Muscular Dystrophies / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D013165:Splints; D013710:Tendons / Q000601:surgery