Evaluation of the surgical treatment of subtle cavovarus foot

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate, using a case series, the results of the surgical treatment of subtle cavovarus foot with extension osteotomy of the first metatarsal and release of the plantar fascia. Methods: Eleven patients and 12 feet, including five males and six females with a mean age of 40 years and minimum follow-up of 12 months. All patients had a diagnosis of subtle cavovarus foot with associated pathologies that did not improve with conservative treatment and were subjected to surgical correction. The patients were evaluated through a clinical examination, the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) scale, the visual analog scale (VAS) of pain in the pre- and postoperative period, and assessment of the degree of satisfaction and clinical correction of the deformity. Results: The mean AOFAS score increased from 44.4 to 80. The mean pain VAS score decreased from 8.7 to 2.0. Seven patients rated the result as excellent, two patients as good and the other two as regular. Two patients had dehiscence of the surgical wound, one presented a neuropathy in the fibular nerve, and another presented transfer metatarsalgia; all were treated clinically with resolution of the clinical picture. There was no recurrence of deformities or associated pathologies. Conclusion: Surgical treatment of subtle cavovarus foot through first metatarsal osteotomy in combination with plantar fascia release showed good clinical results. Level of Evidence III; Retrospective Comparative Study.