Surgical Management of Stage 2 Adult and Pediatric Acquired Flatfoot Without Tendon Transfer or Arthrodesis: A Retrospective Study

Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD) is a common pathology of the foot and ankle. Numerous techniques are available to reconstruct the flatfoot. Fusions and tendon transfers are popular methods; however, a wide range of complications have been associated with these procedures. The objective of the present study was to demonstrate the outcomes of reconstructive surgery for flatfoot correction without tendon transfer or arthrodesis. We performed a retrospective study of 43 patients and 56 feet who had undergone flatfoot reconstructive surgery from November 2011 to June 2016, with a mean follow-up period of 60 weeks (range 12 to 60 months). Each patient demonstrated a stage 2 flatfoot deformity classified using the Johnson and Strom classification. Depending on the patient's deformity, the procedures consisted of different variations of gastrocnemius recession, medial displacement calcaneal osteotomy, Evans osteotomy, and Cotton osteotomy. Six different preoperative and postoperative angles were radiographically measured on each foot studied. In all cases, the differences in the preoperative versus postoperative measurements were statistically significant (p < .003). We believe the foot and ankle surgeon can correct flatfoot deformity with the use of extraarticular procedures and create a plantigrade functional foot without fusion or tendon transfer.