EVALUATION OF ARTHROGRYPOTIC FOOT TREATMENT: MINIMUM 10 YEARS FOLLOW-UP

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Pediatric Orthopedics
• Reconstructive Surgery

Background:

• Arthrogryposis multiplex congenita presents significant challenges in foot deformity management.
• Surgical interventions for arthrogrypotic feet are often extensive and may require multiple procedures.
• Long-term outcomes and quality of life following these complex treatments are crucial to understand.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the long-term clinical and radiological outcomes of extensive surgical treatment for arthrogrypotic feet.
• To assess the quality of life in patients with arthrogryposis after a minimum of 10 years of follow-up.
• To utilize validated instruments like the SF-36 and DSI for comprehensive patient evaluation.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective study of 33 patients with a total of 64 operated feet.
• Minimum follow-up period of 10 years.
• Assessment using the 36-Item Short Form (SF-36) and Disease-Specific Instrument (DSI) questionnaires.

Main Results:

• Mean follow-up was 14.8 years; Amyoplasia was the most common diagnosis (78.7%).
• Procedures included posteromedial lateral release (PMLR), lateral column shortening, and talectomy (71.8% of feet).
• 93.9% of patients reported no disabling pain and good future expectations.

Conclusions:

• Arthrogrypotic feet present complex treatment challenges with a high rate of relapses and residual deformities.
• Despite the complexity, extensive surgical treatment can lead to favorable long-term functional outcomes and improved quality of life.
• Stiffness remains a common feature, underscoring the need for continued research in management strategies.