Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Fixed Equinus deformity is characterized by limited dorsiflexion of ankle joint and restricted passive movement, along with medial and lateral tibiotalar instability, progressive hindfoot varus, and a supination deformity of the forefoot. Degree of equinus deformity is determined by the Tibio-Metatarsal (TM) angle, subtended between the longitudinal axes of Tibia and 1st Metatarsal, in lateral view of foot. Lambrinudi triple arthrodesis involves the surgical fusion of the talonavicular, talocalcaneal, and calcaneocuboid joints to correct fixed foot deformities, to relieve pain from joint, to provide stability to the imbalanced foot, and to create a plantigrade foot. We combined a Lambrinudi type arthrodesis with a transfer of the posterior tibial tendon (PTT) in adult patients to provide dynamic dorsiflexion and pronation. CASE REPORT: The case was of 39-year-old male diagnosed as fixed cavoequinus deformity of right foot and ankle, who was operated with Lambrinudi triple arthrodesis with PTT transfer in January 2019 and followed up to 5 years. Outcome measurements included radiographic and clinical investigations, including the TM Angle, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Score and Ankle range of motion (ROM), which were assessed preoperatively, immediate postoperatively, at 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, and 5 years.The TM angles were 177, 133, 125, and 122, at pre-operative, immediate post-operative, 3 months, 5 years, respectively. Fusion was seen at 1-year follow-up. Improvement in AOFAS Score with values 38, 57, 73, and improvement in Ankle ROM with values 0 (fixed), 10, 15° at pre-operative, 3 months, and 5 years postoperative, respectively. Patient could use ordinary footwear afterward and had no significant subjective pain or pain which affected his daily activities, but patient had post-procedural right lower limb shortening of 1 cm.. CONCLUSION: This combined procedure demonstrated clinical correction of foot deformity and significant improvement in functional outcome in the form of AOFAS score and Ankle ROM. The ability of all patients to use normal shoes and significant reduction in pain scores represent ultimately, the improvement in quality of life. We have corrected muscle imbalance and provided dynamic force for dorsiflexion and pronation of foot in the form of tibialis posterior.