Developmental Foot Deformities in Patients with Connective Tissue Disorders

Abstract

Foot deformities make up a large percentage of all orthopaedic complaints in patients with Down syndrome, Marfan syndrome, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Larsen syndrome, and osteogenesis imperfecta. Some common causes of foot deformities in these conditions include increased ligament laxity, hypotonia, and hypermobility of the joints. Treatment options for syndromic foot deformities include the use of foot orthoses, physical therapy, bracing, and various surgical procedures. There is limited evidence supporting the use of surgical intervention to correct foot deformities associated with Down syndrome, Marfan syndrome, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Larsen syndrome, and osteogenesis imperfecta. Therefore, further research is needed to determine the short-term and long-term outcomes of these procedures.