OPERATIVE MANAGEMENT OF FOOT AND ANKLE EQUINOVARUS ASSOCIATED WITH FOCAL DYSTONIA

Six surgical procedures, consisting of tendon transfers and releases, were performed in five patients with idiopathic focal dystonia involvi ng the lower extremity. All patients were female. Surgical management was performed to correct clinically significant foot abnormalities. Th e goal of each procedure was functional improvement and obtaining a pl antigrade foot. The SPLATT (split anterior tibial tendon transfer) pro cedure was performed in each foot with a flexible equinovarus foot abn ormality. Follow up at a mean of 27.2 months (range, 8-40 months) yiel ded satisfactory clinical results without significant complications. C linical equinovarus has not recurred after this procedure. All patient s remain brace-free ambulators.