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Evaluation of Muscle Function of the Extensor Digitorum Longus Muscle Ex vivo and Tibialis Anterior Muscle In situ in Mice
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Flexor digitorum accessorius longus muscle is associated with familial idiopathic clubfoot

Matthew B Dobbs1, Tim Walton, J Eric Gordon

  • 1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, One Children's Place, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA. mattdobbs@earthlink.net

Journal of Pediatric Orthopedics
|April 16, 2005
PubMed

Insights

The flexor digitorum accessorius longus muscle was found in 6.6% of idiopathic clubfoot patients. This anomalous muscle is significantly more common in children with a family history of clubfoot.

Area of Science:

  • Orthopedics
  • Pediatric Surgery
  • Human Anatomy

Background:

  • The exact causes of idiopathic and familial clubfoot are not fully understood.
  • The flexor digitorum accessorius longus muscle's role in clubfoot etiology is unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of the flexor digitorum accessorius longus muscle in children undergoing surgery for idiopathic clubfoot.
  • To compare demographic data, including family history, between patients with and without this anomalous muscle.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of 835 infants treated for idiopathic clubfoot between 1980 and 2000.
  • Analysis of patient and family demographic data using logistic regression.
  • Identification of the flexor digitorum accessorius longus muscle during surgical correction.

Main Results:

  • The anomalous muscle was identified in 55 (6.6%) of the 835 patients.
  • Prevalence was 4.5% in patients without a family history versus 23.4% in those with a family history (P < 0.0001).
  • Children with first-degree relatives with clubfoot were 6.6 times more likely to have the anomalous muscle.

Conclusions:

  • The flexor digitorum accessorius longus muscle is present in a notable percentage of idiopathic clubfoot cases.
  • A positive family history of clubfoot is strongly associated with the presence of this anomalous muscle.
  • This finding may offer insights into the genetic or familial factors contributing to clubfoot development.

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