Results of extra-articular subtalar arthrodesis in children with cerebral palsy.
BACKGROUND
Grice-Green extra-articular subtalar arthrodesis is considered to be a valid surgical method which improves foot alignment in patients with spastic pes planovalgus deformity. The purpose of the present study was to examine the long-term results of Grice-Green procedure and whether it can achieve significant correction of each of the components of pes planovalgus deformity.


METHODS
Eleven children (16 feet) with cerebral palsy who underwent Grice extra-articular subtalar arthrodesis were reviewed retrospectively. The mean age of patients at the time of surgery was 9 years and 8 months (range, 6 years 5 months to 12 years 4 months). The mean followup was 3 years and 7 months (range, 2 years 1 month to 8 years 3 months). Seven radiographic parameters of each patient before surgery, after surgery and at the latest followup were used. In addition, position of the graft relative to the weightbearing axis of the tibia was evaluated.


RESULTS
Most of the examined parameters showed statistically significant correction which was maintained in the long run. Moreover, the placement of the graft along the mechanical axis seemed to play an important role for stability and preservation of correction of the planovalgus deformity. On the other hand, there were three cases where the osseous graft was absorbed and two cases where triple arthrodesis was necessary due to recurrence of the deformity.


CONCLUSIONS
Grice-Green extra-articular subtalar arthrodesis improves foot alignment in patients with spastic pes planovalgus deformity and can achieve significant correction, postoperatively as well as on a long-term basis, of each of the components of pes planovalgus deformity.
1st Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Athens, Medical School, Attikon University General Hospital, 1 Rimini Street, 12462, Chaidari, Greece. mazis.giorgos@gmail.com
George A
GA
Mazis
Vasileios I
VI
Sakellariou
Anastasios D
AD
Kanellopoulos
Panayiotis J
PJ
Papagelopoulos
Dimitrios N
DN
Lyras
Panayotis N
PN
Soucacos
D000293:Adolescent; D001174:Arthrodesis / Q000379:methods*; D017760:Bone Malalignment / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000150:complications*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005360:Fibula / Q000637:transplantation; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005530:Foot Deformities / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D033023:Foot Joints / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013380:Subtalar Joint / Q000601:surgery*