Comparative Effectiveness of Calcaneal Stop Versus Subtalar Arthroereisis in Pediatric Flexible | ||||
| The Egyptian Journal of Hospital Medicine | ||||
| Article 7, Volume 98, Issue 1, January 2025, Page 44-50 PDF (661.04 K) | ||||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||||
| DOI: 10.21608/ejhm.2025.401097 | ||||
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| Abstract | ||||
| Background: Flexible flatfoot is a common pediatric foot deformity characterized by a collapsed medial arch and hindfoot valgus, leading to discomfort and functional limitations. While subtalar arthroereisis and the calcaneal stop technique are established surgical options for symptomatic cases, comparative effectiveness remains under investigation. Patients and Methods: A prospective randomized study was conducted on 30 patients aged 5-15 years with symptomatic flexible flatfoot at Al-Ahrar Teaching Hospital from June 2019 to June 2021. Patients were randomly assigned to subtalar arthroereisis (n=15) or calcaneal stop procedure (n=15). Outcomes were assessed using the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain, and radiographic measures (Meary’s angle, calcaneal pitch, calcaneal valgus, and talocalcaneal angles). Follow-up was conducted over 18 months. Results: Both procedures showed significant improvements postoperatively, with mean AOFAS scores increasing from 71.53±3.81 preoperatively to 93.1±4.36 (p=0.001). Pain levels decreased substantially, with VAS scores reducing from 3.03±1.54 to 0.77±0.77 (p=0.001). Subtalar arthroereisis demonstrated a lower mean postoperative VAS score (0.47±0.52) compared to the calcaneal stop (1.1±0.88, p=0.03). The complication rate was low (10%), with minor issues reported in three patients. Conclusion: Both subtalar arthroereisis and calcaneal stop procedures effectively improve clinical and radiographic outcomes in children with symptomatic flexible flatfoot. Subtalar arthroereisis may offer superior pain relief postoperatively, though both techniques show promising results. | ||||
| Keywords | ||||
| Pediatric flatfoot; Subtalar arthroereisis; Calcaneal stop; AOFAS score; Foot surgery | ||||
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