Abstract
We investigated hemiplegic patients who had suffered brain strokes and were subsequently given surgical treatments for advanced quinovarus and hammer-toe deformity. The 12 hemiplegic patients underwent open surgery from April, 1991 to March, 2000. We examined conservative treatments, surgical treatments, operative methods, gait ability and daily living activities after operations. Conservative treatment including muscle stretching, physiotherapy, motor-point block, muscle relaxants and brace therapy were performed. Operative methods included 11 Achilles tenoplasty cases (Vulpius method, 3 cases ; Z plasty method, 8 cases) and 8 flexor digitorium pedis tenontomy cases (7 cases were combined with Achilles tenotomy) . After surgery, range of motion of the ankle joint improved in all cases, heel contact became possible at the time of foot strike, and gait ability and daily living activities all improved. Although there were only 12 surgical treatments administered during the 9-year period, surgical treatment was beneficial as a final means when conservative treatment was ineffective.
