TRIPLE ARTHRODESIS WITH LATERAL COLUMN LENGTHENING FOR TREATMENT OF SEVERE PLANOVALGUS DEFORMITY

Triple arthrodesis with lateral column lengthening through the calcane ocuboid joint was performed on 22 feet in 14 patients. The primary ind ication for surgery was severe symptomatic planovalgus deformity unres ponsive to conservative measures, All patients achieved solid fusion w ithin 12 weeks. No patient had a decline in ambulatory status. Excelle nt correction of deformity was achieved and maintained with an average correction of the talus first metatarsal angle of 25 degrees in both the AP and lateral planes, Triple arthrodesis with lateral column leng thening provides for reliable arthrodesis and allows correction of sev ere planovalgus deformity while maintaining foot length.