The high incidence of foot deformity in patients with high-level spina bifida.
In a consecutive series of 124 children with spina bifida we found that 220 (89%) of the 248 feet were deformed: 70 had a calcaneus deformity; 126 were in equinus; 16 were in valgus; 3 were in varus; and 5 had convex pes valgus. Operations were performed on 171 (78%) of the deformed feet. Spasticity of the muscles controlling the foot was detected in 36 (51%) of the 70 calcaneus feet and in 22 (17%) of the 126 equinus feet. The deformities were symmetrical in 94 children. There is a high incidence of foot deformity in patients with spina bifida who have no voluntary activity in the motors of the feet.
Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.
N S
NS
Broughton
G
G
Graham
M B
MB
Menelaus
D002675:Child, Preschool; D005532:Foot Deformities, Congenital / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D016135:Spinal Dysraphism / Q000150:complications*