[Historical development of arthrodesis of pes cavus]

In contrast to the present, the diagnosis and treatment of pes cavus was a major subject of research at the beginning of last century. This was due to the high incidence of certain neurological disorders (poliomyelitis, myelodysplasia) which led to the development of this foot deformity. Advances in anaesthetic technique and the establishment of antisepsis contributed largely to the development of the surgical treatment of pes cavus. Ladislaus Leo Freiherr von Lesser performed the first surgically induced ankylosis of the ankle by denuding the joint surfaces of cartilage followed by fixation with a metal nail. This procedure was then introduced as arthrodesis; a word derived from the Greek meaning "binding of the joint". Numerous methods and modifications of arthrodesis have been developed for the correction of foot deformities. With increasing knowledge of the pathogenesis of pes cavus, soft tissue and tendon transfer procedures were added to the surgical treatment. Today, the philosophy of arthrodesis in the treatment of foot deformity is the same, but the development of fixation techniques and implant materials could improve postoperative care and outcome.