Transfer of half the calcaneal tendon to the dorsum of the foot for paralytic equinus deformity

Mesh Achilles tendon lengthening--a new method to treat equinus deformity in patients with spastic cerebral palsy: surgical technique and early results

Equinus of the ankle is a common deformity in spastic cerebral palsy. Many methods have been developed to lengthen the Achilles tendon to correct the deformity. A new mesh Achilles tendon lengthening (ATL) procedure that might decrease immobilization and promote recovery was performed in 36 tendons with equinus deformity (22 patients, average age=6.2). The results were compared with those of two other methods: the Vulpius group and the Z-lengthening group. The corrected dorsiflexion angle of the ankle at a subsequent 2-year follow-up of the mesh ATL and Vulpius groups matched (25.5±3.0 and 27.1±3.5°, respectively), whereas that of the Z-lengthening group was higher (33.9±3.8°). Nevertheless, statistics of the timing of each patient's readiness to begin rehabilitation and walking as well as gaining better stability for running and one-legged hopping indicated that the mesh ATL group recovered significantly quicker than the Vulpius and Z-lengthening groups. The mesh ATL procedure achieves a successful correction of the equinus deformity in spastic cerebral palsy comparable with that of the Vulpius procedure, with the advantage of preserving the gastrocnemius without a complete section. This confers greater antigravity stability and quicker recovery in patients.

The Bridle procedure in the treatment of paralysis of the foot

The Bridle procedure consists of a posterior tibial tendon transfer through the interosseous membrane to the dorsum of the foot with a dual anastomosis to the tendon of the anterior tibial and a rerouted peroneus longus in front of the lateral malleolus. This procedure is performed to restore loss of dorsiflexion and to balance the foot, preventing a secondary varus or valgus deformity. The procedure was performed in 10 patients with 11 feet with paralysis of dorsiflexion of the foot. All are brace-free. The results are better in patients with peroneal nerve palsy secondary to trauma.