title: Correction of postburn equinus deformity.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Equinus deformity is characterized by an abnormal tiptoe gait and does not allow normal walking, hence needing correction. Congenital causes of equinus deformity include neurological diseases such as cerebral palsy and poliomyelitis. Acquired causes include injuries such as extensive trauma. We have corrected equinus deformity from extensive lower leg burns by a single operation through excisional release of the scar, Achilles lengthening, and radial forearm free flap.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifteen patients with postburn equinus deformity who were treated between January 2000 and March 2012 were retrospectively studied. We investigated their age, sex, cause and severity of burn injury, equinus degree, ankle range of motion and the changes in the activity, extent of Achilles lengthening, flap size, complication, and the recurrence in these patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average degree of equinus deformity before the operation was 45 degrees. With an average Achilles lengthening of 4.6 cm, all patients achieved neutral position. The patients who had poor activity due to tiptoe gait before the operation showed good to fair levels of walking ability postoperatively. During an average follow-up period of 3 years and 9 months, no patients had a recurrence.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Equinus deformity causes significant restrictions to walking and the reconstruction is a challenging problem. Although prevention is more important during the initial stages of treatment, we have successfully corrected patients with existing equinus deformity by scar release, Z-tenoplasty of Achilles, and radial forearm free flap.
authors: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Hangang Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University Medical Center, Seoul, Korea.
authors: Gi-Yeun
authors: GY
authors: Hur
authors: Byung-Jun
authors: BJ
authors: Rhee
authors: Jang-Hyu
authors: JH
authors: Ko
authors: Dong-Kook
authors: DK
authors: Seo
authors: Jai-Koo
authors: JK
authors: Choi
authors: Young-Chul
authors: YC
authors: Jang
authors: Jong-Wook
authors: JW
authors: Lee
mesh_terms: D000125:Achilles Tendon / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D002056:Burns / Q000150:complications*; D002648:Child; D004863:Equinus Deformity / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D016138:Walking; D055815:Young Adult