Subtalar arthrodesis in children with cerebral palsy: results using iliac bone plug

Twenty-six extra-articular subtalar arthrodeses were performed on 15 patients with flexible planovalgus feet due to cerebral palsy. Following muscle balancing procedures, an iliac bone plug was used to stabilize the sinus tarsi. A review of the results up to 12 years, average 6.8, is presented. Overall satisfactory results were achieved in 88.4% of the patients, unsatisfactory in 11.6%. All children were immobilized in short-leg walking casts for 6 to 8 weeks. The surgical technique is described. The procedure gave good stability to the subtalar joint and was found to be reliable. Graft acquisition was simple and there were no complications.