The Surgical Treatment of Equinovarus and Claw Toe Deformities in Adult Hemiplegia

Abstract

The commonest deformities seen in hemiplegic foot are equinovarus and claw toe which often respond to simple operative procedures. However, repeated preoperative assesment as an inpatient is essential because paralysis of central nervous system is different from peripheral nerve injury. From 1973 to 1979 ninety-one patients have undergone operation at our Center. The operation carried out, either singly or in combination, Vulpius's procedure, transfer of tibialis anterior, release of long toe flexors and elongation of the tibialis posterior. Correction once achieved is stable and the deformity does not recur. These operation benefited the patients in so far as more can walk afterwards, there is less deformity and there is less spasticity.