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DOI: 10.1055/s-0045-1804494
Calcaneo-Stop: An Effective Surgical Technique to Correct Symptomatic Flexible Flatfoot in Children
Article in several languages: português | EnglishFinancial Support The authors declare that they did not receive financial support from agencies in the public, private or non-profit sectors to conduct the present study.
Abstract
Objective Flexible juvenile valgus flatfoot is a prevalent condition that typically resolves spontaneously but requires surgical treatment if associated with discomfort, pain, and physical limitation. However, certain surgical procedures are associated with higher morbidity, as they involve osteotomies and arthrodesis. In this context, extra-articular talocalcaneal arthroereisis is an option, because it is a cost-effective, low-morbidity, and efficient method of treatment. The aim of the present study is to report the outcomes of the treatment of flexible juvenile valgus flatfoot using the calcaneo-stop technique.
Methods Pre-adolescent patients with severe or symptomatic flexible juvenile valgus flatfoot were surgically treated using the calcaneo-stop technique (talocalcaneal arthroereisis). The outcomes were evaluated clinically and radiographically, assessing Meary angles, talonavicular coverage, talus-metatarsal alignment, Moreau-Costa-Bertani angle, calcaneal pitch, and the percentage of talus head coverage by the navicular.
Results A total of 23 individuals (44 feet) were evaluated and operated on, with ages ranging from 7 to 13 years (mean: 11) and a mean follow-up of 28 months. There was marked improvement or disappearance of symptoms in 90% of the patients. The complication rate was of 13.6%, primarily associated with localized pain at the surgical site. All radiographic parameters improved significantly (p < 0.001), with values approaching normality in most cases.
Conclusion Improvements in both clinical and radiographic parameters suggest that talocalcaneal arthroereisis corrects deformities with a low complication rate.
Work developed at the Departament of Orthopedics and Anesthesiology, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
Publication History
Received: 30 March 2024
Accepted: 06 November 2024
Article published online:
11 April 2025
© 2025. The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, permitting copying and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
Thieme Revinter Publicações Ltda.
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Leonardo Lima de Almeida, Paulo Henrique Bortolin, Diego Polizello, Leonardo Rigobello Bataglion, José Batista Volpon. Calcâneo-stop: Uma técnica cirúrgica eficaz para a correção do pé plano valgo flexível sintomático em crianças. Rev Bras Ortop (Sao Paulo) 2025; 60: s00451804494.
DOI: 10.1055/s-0045-1804494
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