PERCUTANEOUS ELONGATION OF THE ACHILLES-TENDON IN CHILDREN WITH CEREBRAL-PALSY

From 1987 to 1990, 45 children with cerebral palsy underwent percutane ous elongation of the Achilles tendon (71 ankles); the mean age was 5. 7 years. Most suffered from spastic diplegia or hemiplegia. A three-st ep cut technique was used, the limb immobilised in a long leg fibregla ss cast and immediate weightbearing allowed. Follow up was from 2 to 5 years. Satisfactory results were obtained with significant improvemen t in walking in 89%.