Objective To investigate the effectiveness of spring ligament repair combined with subtalar arthroereisis (STA) and the Kidner procedure for treating children’s flexible flatfoot with painful accessory navicular. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical data from 45 children (45 feet) aged 7-14 years with flexible flatfoot and painful accessory navicular who met the selection criteria and were treated between February 2018 and May 2022. Among them, 23 cases (23 feet) were treated with spring ligament repair combined with STA and Kidner procedure (observation group), while 22 cases (22 feet) received STA with Kidner procedure alone (control group). Comparison of baseline data between the two groups including gender, age, affected side, preoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) score, American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) score, talonavicular coverage angle (TCA), talus-first metatarsal angle (T1MT), talus-second metatarsal angle (T2MT), talus first plantar angle (Meary angle), calcaneal inclination angle (Pitch angle) showed no significant differences (P>0.05). The following parameters were recorded and compared between the two groups: operation time, intraoperative blood loss, incision length, hospital stay, time to full weight-bearing, and complication rates. Foot pain and functional recovery were assessed using the VAS score and AOFAS score preoperatively and at last follow-up. Radiographic measurements including TCA, T1MT, T2MT, Meary angle, and Pitch angle were analyzed by comparing preoperative to last follow-up values. Results Both groups of patients successfully completed the surgery without any procedure-related complications such as vascular, neural, or tendon injury. The operation time in the observation group was significantly longer than that in the control group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of intraoperative blood loss, incision length, hospital stay, or time to full weight-bearing (P>0.05). All patients were followed up 23-47 months (mean, 33.7 months). In the control group, 1 patient experienced discomfort during walking, attributed to screw irritation in the sinus tarsi, which resolved after 2-3 months of rehabilitation. None of the remaining patients developed complications such as sinus tarsi screw loosening, peroneal tendon contracture, or wound infection. At last follow-up, the observation group showed significantly better improvements in radiographic parameters (TCA, T1MT, T2MT, Meary angle, Pitch angle) and greater reductions in VAS and AOFAS scores compared to the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion The combined procedure of spring ligament repair, STA, and Kidner procedure for children’s flexible flatfoot with painful accessory navicular demonstrates significant improvements in foot appearance, arch collapse correction, and pain relief. This technique offers technical simplicity, minimal intraoperative complications, and satisfactory clinical outcomes.
ObjectiveTo explore the effectiveness of the flexor digitorum longus (FDL) transfer combined with single-bundle spring ligament reconstruction and medial displacement calcaneal osteotomy in the treatment of stage ⅠAB progressive collapsing foot deformity (PCFD). MethodsBetween January 2019 and September 2023, 19 patients (19 feet) with stage ⅠAB PCFD were treated with FDL transfer combined with single-bundle spring ligament reconstruction and medial displacement calcaneal osteotomy. There were 11 males and 8 females, aged 18 to 60 years, with an average age of 45.5 years. Nine cases were on the left foot and 10 cases on the right foot. The disease duration was 9-21 months, with an average of 12.3 months. Postoperatively, the effectiveness was evaluated by visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score, and Tegner score. Based on X-ray films, the talonavicular coverage angle (TNCA), talus-first metatarsal angle (T1MT), Meary angle, and pitch angle were measured. The plantar pressure parameters of the foot were measured by the Footscan plantar pressure measurement system, including peak pressure and load of the forefoot, midfoot, and hind foot. The patients’ satisfaction with the surgical outcome was evaluated. ResultsAll 19 surgeries were successfully completed. One patient had poor incision healing after operation, while the incisions of the remaining patients healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 12-28 months (mean, 16.8 months). At last follow-up, the VAS score significantly decreased compared with that before operation, and the AOFAS score and Tegner score significantly increased (P<0.05). Radiological measurements showed that the TNCA, T1MT, Meary angle, and Pitch angle all significantly improved compared with those before operation (P<0.05). Plantar pressure tests indicated that the peak pressures of the forefoot and midfoot significantly reduced compared with those before operation (P<0.05), while the peak pressure of the hind foot showed no significant change (P>0.05). The forefoot load significantly increased and the midfoot load decreased compared with those before operation (P<0.05), while the hind foot load showed no significant change (P>0.05). The total satisfaction rate of patients with the surgical outcome (very satisfied+satisfied) reached 84.2% (16/19). ConclusionThe FDL transfer combined with single-bundle spring ligament reconstruction and medial displacement calcaneal osteotomy can effectively correct the stage ⅠAB PCFD, improve the abnormal distribution of plantar pressure and load, alleviate foot pain symptoms, and improve foot movement function. The patient’s satisfaction is high. However, the long-term effectiveness still needs to be further observed and clarified.
