Evaluation of different surgical techniques used for correction of post-burn contracture of foot and ankle

Post-burn contracture and deformities of the foot and ankle joint with respect to other localizations account for 3.5-5% of cases. Functional disturbances of the foot and ankle joint affect the functioning of the entire lower joint, its statics, and the patient's gait and bearing, and can even lead to distorted pelvis, curvature of the spine, and other disturbances. Between 1990 and 2002 we treated 69 cases for a total number of 76 foot and ankle joint deformities enrolled in the study. The choice of plastic operation was made on the basis of the severity and localization of the injury - we used local uninjured tissues and soft scars to make trapezoid, Z-plasty or other shaped flaps and free grafts placed on the area of the excised scars. We observed the follow-up during a period of one to eight years in 57 patients with burn deformities of the ankle (82.6% of the overall number of patients observed in the clinic). In 41 cases (71.9%) the deformities were completely eliminated and in 13 cases (22.8%) the results were satisfactory; three patients (5.3%) had poor results. The victims of burns in the ankle joint must be kept under constant examination if scarring is present, with the danger of retarded growth of the burned foot joint and the development of secondary bone-joint changes. Early surgery is advised depending on severity of the contracture.