Surgical correction of talipes equinovarus following foot and leg compartment syndrome

Between 1984 and 1994, 40 patients with a posttraumatic compartment syndrome of the lower leg and foot were treated for talipes equinovarus adductus foot deformity, which subsequently developed. Twenty patients had a wedge osteotomy followed by arthrodesis of the midtarsal joint (Chopart joint). Another 17 patients had an arthrodesis of the midtarsal and subtalar joints. In the remaining three patients, in addition to arthrodesis, lengthening of the tendons of the long flexors and the Achilles tendon was performed. Complications included wound infections (six cases), drill hole infections (three cases), chronic osteomyelitis (one case), and an ankle joint infection (one case). The clinical result was assessed as good in 37.5%, fair in 52.5%, and poor in 10% of the patients. Before the operation, 37 patients required modified footwear. After the operation, only eight patients needed them. Wedge osteotomy of the midtarsal and subtalar joints followed by an arthrodesis is an advantageous treatment modality for the correction of severe postischemic equinovarus adductus foot deformities. In our study, patient satisfaction was high. While complications frequently occur, it is not extraordinary considering the salvage nature of the procedure.