Treatment of the progressive neuromuscular planovalgus foot deformity with the combined Batchelor–Grice procedure

Abstract

Twelve patients (17 feet) with progressive neuromuscular planovalgus foot deformity underwent an extra-articular subtalar arthrodesis with the combined Batchelor-Grice procedure. All patients were ambulant and received conservative treatment with braces and special orthopaedic shoes before the operation. Postoperatively the feet were immobilized in short leg casts for 6 weeks. Evaluation was based on the appearance of the feet, the clinical symptoms and radiographic measurements. Solid fusion and sustained correction took place in all feet. Foot appearance and mobility of the patients were improved, whereas preoperative complaints were reduced. The gap at the graft donor site was bridged with new bone in all cases.