Calcaneal lengthening osteotomy in the management of idiopathic flatfoot in children: cCase series of twenty-one feet

Introduction: Flatfoot is a frequent reason for consultation in pediatric orthopedics. The calcaneal lengthening osteotomy according to the EVANS technique is a therapeutic alternative. The objective of this work was to evaluate the short and medium term clinical and radiological results of calcaneal lengthening osteotomy in children with idiopathic flat foot valgus.

Methods: This study concerned 12 children and 15 ft treated surgically by calcaneal lengthening osteotomy by an orthopedic surgeon in a pediatric orthopedic surgery center. The evaluation of the results was clinical according AOFAS score and radiological.

Results: The deformity was reducible in all of our patients. The mean preoperative AOFAS score was 61, postoperatively 90. The overall result was excellent in 11 cases (11 ft) and good in 4 cases. The postoperative radiological result was close to normal values.

Conclusion: Calcaneal lengthening osteotomy is a reliable and recommended technique for the correction of symptomatic idiopathic flatfoot.

Level of evidence: IV, Case series.