Congenital vertical talus: treatment by open reduction and navicular excision

Twelve patients with sixteen feet showing true congenital vertical talus were treated at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh by excision of the navicular as an adjunct to open reduction. When these children were evaluated two to fifteen years after naviculectomy, all were asymptomatic and fully active. Except for one Achilles-tendon lengthening (three months after naviculectomy), none had required further surgical procedures. Fifteen feet were examined in detail. Assessed on an anatomical basis, three of the feet were excellent; seven, good; four, fair; and one, poor. The best results were obtained in the patients who were eighteen months old or younger at the time of operation.