Cheilectomy Alone in Patients With Elevatus Yields Poor 5-Year Survival Rate

This study was performed to evaluate the efficacy of the cheilectomy procedure for different degrees of elevatus. The study was Institutional Review Board approved and patients were evaluated retrospectively at Ascension St. John Hospital, St. John Surgery Center and St. John Macomb Township Surgery Center between 9/8/2012 and 1/8/2016. These were all performed by the same surgeon. The pre- and postoperative radiographs were analyzed and Seiberg's index was calculated. Charts were also reviewed, and demographic information was obtained. A telephone survey was performed, and Visual Analog Pain score and Foot and Ankle Ability Measure was obtained. Body mass index, age, calcaneal inclination angle, Seiberg's index, Foot and Ankle Ability Measure, and visual analog score were analyzed using chi-square test, bivariate regression analysis and independent t test. Seiberg's index had a statistically significant influence on 5-year survival rate for the cheilectomy procedure (p ≤ .05). For patients with Seiberg's index less than 0.20 cm demonstrated FAAM, and VAS p values .18 and .37 with 87.0% 5-year survival. Seiberg's index between 0.20 and 0.40 cm had FAAM and VAS scores with p values <.01 and .02 with 62.0% 5-year survival. Seiberg's index ≤0.40 cm p values <.01 and .55 with 5-year survival rate of 0.0%. Therefore, if Seiberg's index is greater than 0.20 cm based on this research a cheilectomy alone as a sole treatment is at greater risk of failure.