Arthrodesis for the cavus foot: when, where, and how?

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Foot and Ankle Reconstruction

Background:

• Rigid cavus foot deformities present complex multiplanar challenges.
• Traditional surgical options may be limited when the deformity becomes fixed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of midfoot and triple arthrodesis for rigid cavus foot correction.
• To emphasize techniques that minimize foot shortening and optimize surgical outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Surgical correction involving rotation and translation with minimal wedge resection.
• Inclusion of posterior tibial tendon transfer and peroneus longus transfer.
• Application of soft tissue balancing principles.

Main Results:

• Achieving optimal outcomes requires meticulous attention to surgical technique.
• Correction through rotation and translation minimizes iatrogenic foot shortening.
• Tendon transfers are crucial for addressing dynamic imbalances.

Conclusions:

• Midfoot and triple arthrodesis are highly effective for rigid cavus feet when performed with precise techniques.
• Soft tissue balancing is paramount for successful arthrodesis outcomes.
• This approach can yield excellent results, contrary to some existing literature.