Recurrence of Equinus Foot Deformity in Cerebral Palsy Patients Following Surgery: A Review

Although equinus deformity in children with cerebral palsy is often corrected with surgery, postsurgical recurrence of the deformity is not uncommon. In order to isolate factors that may be related to its recurrence, 31 studies were evaluated. Data from nine articles indicated that children younger than approximately 7 years of age at the time of surgery had a higher risk of recurrence than children who were older at the time of surgery. Recurrence rates may be understated in studies including less than a minimum of 4–5 years of patient follow-up. Lower recurrence rates are documented in diplegic patients compared with hemiplegic patients, and postoperative casting/splinting is stated, but not documented, to reduce recurrence. One study demonstrated that the use of chemodenervation delayed surgery and by inference theoretically would decrease recurrence after surgical release. (Journal of the Southern Orthopaedic Association 12(3):125–133, 2003)