EQUINUS DEFORMITY

AN EXTREME CASE FIXED WITH MINIMAL INCISION ILIZAROV EXTERNAL FIXATION TECHNIQUE

Equinus deformity is a condition in which the ankle has limited upward bending (dorsiflexion), preventing the foot from properly flexing toward the shin. It often results from tightness in the calf muscles or Achilles tendon and can lead to abnormal gait, toe-walking, and secondary problems in the foot, knee, hip, or lower back. In some cases the shape of the ankle joint or the shape of the tibia bone can also create equinus but you can read more about that on our EQUINUS PAGE HERE .

Here i just wanted to illustrate a case of extreme equinus that we were able to fix with almost no incisions.

This incision here is to release the main nerve to the foot. This is called a tarsal tunnel decompression, similar to a carpal tunnel procedure thats normally done for a compressed nerve. In this case though it is being done for a different reason. When someone has a severe deformity of the ankle or foot the nerves get “ comfortable in their positions “. we need to release these positions they live in so that they could more easily stretch and adapt to a new position. If you look closely you can see the yellow structure inside the incision, it is curved. It should be straight and it will be after we realign the foot.

This nerve decompression is very important and vitsl to the case , its often overlooked by surgeons!!

This image is of an external fixation device applied to the leg and foot. IT is attached to the patients bones and we will use this to gradually realign the foot. It works almost like a scaffold of a building but if you can imagine this scaffold with joints to push and pull things into place. This particular device is called a Taylor Spatial Frame. IT uses a computer program to help adjust the foot back into position. We occasionally use this device but i do prefer the original ilizarov frame for this surgery. Its harder for the doctor to learn but easier for the patient to handle.

Foot straight , mission accomplished. took 3 months for patient to be back in regular shoes. External fixator was on for about 2 months.