• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.593-598
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• 2007

Purpose: Talipes equinus deformity is defined as impossibility of heel weight-bearing and lacking of improvement of toe-tip gait despite sufficient duration of conservative treatment. The incidence of equinus deformity induces post-traumatic extensive soft tissue defect and subsequently increases it. Severe equinus deformities of the foot associated with extensive scarring of the leg and ankle were corrected using achilles Z-lengthening and free-tissue transfer. Methods: Free radial forearm flap was done in nine cases of eight patients from January 2000 to November 2006. Causes of deformity were post-traumatic contracture (one patient) and post-burn scar contracture (seven patients). Seven patients were male, one patient was female. Mean age was 32.1 (range, 10-57). Flap donors were covered with artificial dermis ($Terudermis^{(R)}$) and split thickness skin graft (five cases), and medium thickness skin graft only (four cases). Results: The size of flaps varied from $6{\times}12$ to $15{\times}12cm$ (average, $12{\times}7.8cm$). Achilles tendon was lengthened 4.2cm on average. Free radial forearm flap was satisfactory in all cases. All patients could ambulate normally after the surgery. Cases having donor coverage with $Terudermis^{(R)}$ were aesthetically better than those having skin grafts only. Conclusion: This study suggested that severe equinus deformities associated with extensive scarring of the leg and ankle can be corrected effectively free radial forearm flap and Achilles tendon lengthening.

• Proceedings of the KSME Conference
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• 2008.11a
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• pp.1461-1466
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• 2008

In the case of Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL), the most frequent mechanism is the dashboard injury, which is directly pressurized to the anterior of the proximal tibia in the state of the knee hyperflexion. The PCL associated ligament damage happens when the posterior injury, the varus, the valgus, the hyperextension and the severe vagus torque are out of the critical value of PCL. After the successful operation cases of Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) reconstruction using the allograft were informed from 1986, a number of results kept over the maximum 10 years were reported. Unfortunately, PCL reconstruction are crowded the surgery techniques such as the graft, the tibia fixing method, the fixation device, the location of the femoral tunnel, the number of the graft bundles and PCL reconstruction to access to the stability of the normal joint is being developed. Therefore, this study is the basic research of these above facts. The current transtibial tunnel surgery using the cadaveric Achilles tendon grafts is chosen for the various PCL reconstruction. The initial extension of the Achilles tendon by the fixing device and its location under the cyclic loading, were observed.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.430-439
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• 2009

Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) plays an important role in knee extension. Rotational instability due to injured PCL can be restored by various PCL reconstruction methods. In this study, the initial lengthening affected by fixation device and location was demonstrated, and furthermore, the slippage and the relationship between lengthening ratio and slippage ratio in the calcaneus and soft tissue fixation methods was newly suggested. Eight specimens of proximal tibia and Achilles tendon grafts were harvested from four cadavers and divided into four groups in regard to the four different types of transtibial fixation techniques. The cyclic load ranged from 50 N to 250 N applied to each graft fixed to proximal tibia in 55 degrees. The initial lengthening ratio to the total elongation has been approximately constant regardless of the fixation methods. The soft tissue fixation method with an interference screw showed about 56.4% slippage ratio to the total elongation and the same method with a double cross-pin presented about 45.4% slippage ratio. The soft tissue fixation method with an interference screw demonstrated approximately 2 mm less total elongation and about 13% more slippage than lengthening because of poor fixation compared to the same method with a double cross-pin.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.111-113
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• 2004

In neurogenic equinovarus deformity, surgical intervention such as tendon transfer or osteotomy can be expected to improve symptoms. However, in rare cases of hereditary spastic paraplegia, the deformity and paralysis gradually progress. So limited operation and early post-operative rehabilitation are preferred to aggressive operation. We would like to report our clinical experience with one case of hereditary spastic paraplegia patient with reference review. A 40 year-old male, given tendon transfer of ankle and foot and tendo achilles lengthening 10 years ago, complained about aggravated spastic paraplegia which resulted in dynamic equinovarus and limited walking ability since his operation. Family history showed limited walking ability of his father with gradually progressing spastic paralysis and he was diagnosed as hereditary spastic paraplegia type I. We had performed a limited operation such as tendo achilles and tibialis posterior lengthening to induce plantigrade standing and walking with crutch. As a result, the patient was able to maintain a stabilized standing posture and walk after the operation. Hereditary spastic paraplegia presents with a progressive paralysis which limits rehabilitation after tendon transfer, and the symptoms can be aggravated. Therefore, considering potential hereditary neurogenic disorders in paients with equinovarus deformity and performing limited operative procedures seem to be important.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.86-91
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• 2011

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness as well as correct the post-traumatic severe ankle equinus deformity by conducting the treatment surgery, which is divided into 2 stages, soft tissue adhesiolysis and ankle arthrodesis. Materials and Methods: We have conducted the methods, which are Z-plasty Achilles tendon lengthening, multiple capsulotomy and tendon lengthening (flexor hallucis longus muscle, flexor digitorum longus, posterior tibialis tendon) for 10 patients who has shown equinus deformity after post-traumatic compartment syndrome due to the injury. The average age of patients was 33.7 year-old; there were 8 men and 2 women, and the follow up period was 13 months (6~31 mon). Outcomes were rated based on American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and patient's satisfaction after operation. Results: The average degree of preoperative equinus deformity was 64 degree (-60~-70), and we've obtained AOFAS anklehindfoot score that was evaluated after 4 months of 2nd operation which was 76.7 score on average. We've also checked the decreased pain score from all of the patients according to the fact that the average VAS before the surgery was 6 (4~8), but it reduced to 3 (1~4). The patient's satisfaction showed generally great satisfactions which was 5 cases were excellent, 2 cases were good, and 3 cases were fair. Conclusion: The two staged surgical treatment of post -traumatic severe ankle equinus deformity, which was conducted of soft tissue adhesiolysis and arthrodesis, could be one of the effective methods to improve patients walking ability.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.51-63
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• 2007

Diabetic foot ulcers result from abnormal mechanical loading of the foot, such as repetitive pressure applied to the plantar aspect of the foot while walking. Diabetic peripheral neuropathy causes changes in foot structure, affecting foot function and subsequently leading to increased plantar foot pressure, which is a predictive risk factor for the development of diabetic foot ulceration. To early identify the insensitive foot makes it possible to prevent diabetic foot ulceration and to protect the foot at risk from abnormal biomechanical loading. Abnormal foot pressures can be reduced using several different approaches, including callus debridement, prescription of special footwear, foot orthosis. injection of liquid silicone, Achilles tendon lengthening, and so forth. Off-loading of the diabetic wound is a key factor to successful wound healing as it is associated with reduced inflammatory and accelerated repair processes. Pressure relief can be achieved using various off-loading modalities including accommodative dressing, walking splints, ankle-foot orthosis, total contact cast, and removable and irremovable cast walkers.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.62-67
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• 2014

Purpose: Reconstructive surgeries for equinocavovarus foot deformities are quite variable, including hind-midfoot osteotomy or arthrodesis, soft tissue procedure, tendon transfers, etc. Comprehensive evaluation of the deformity and its etiology is mandatory for achievement of successful deformity correction. Few studies in this field have been reported. We report on the clinical and radiographic outcome of reconstruction for cavovarus foot deformities. Materials and Methods: The study is based on 16 feet with cavovarus foot deformities that underwent bony and soft tissue reconstructive surgery from 2004 to 2008. We evaluated the etiologies, varieties of surgical procedures performed, pain score, functional scores, and patient satisfaction and measured the radiographic parameters. Results: The average age at the time of surgery was 39.4 years old, with a male/female ratio of 9/4 and an average follow-up period of 23.9 months (range, 12~49 months). The etiologies of the cavovarus deformity were idiopathic 7 feet, residual poliomyelitis 5 feet, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease 2 feet, and Guillain-Barre syndrome and hemiplegia due to cerebrovascular accident sequela 1 foot each. Lateral sliding calcaneal osteotomies were performed in 12 feet (75%), followed by Achilles tendon lengthening and plantar fascia release in 11 feet (69%), and first metatarsal dorsiflexion osteotomy/arthrodesis and tendon transfer in 10 feet (63%). Visual analogue scale pain score showed improvement, from an average of 4.2 to 0.5 points. American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society ankle-hindfoot score showed significant improvement, from 47.8 to 90.0 points (p<0.05). All patients were satisfied. Ankle range of motion improved from $27.5^{\circ}$ to $46.7^{\circ}$. In radiographic measurements, calcaneal pitch angle improved from $19.1^{\circ}$ to $15.8^{\circ}$, Meary angle from $13.0^{\circ}$ to $9.3^{\circ}$, Hibb's angle from $44.3^{\circ}$ to $37.0^{\circ}$, and tibio-calcaneal axis angle from varus $17.5^{\circ}$ to varus $1.5^{\circ}$ Conclusion: We achieved successful correction of cavovarus foot deformities by performing appropriate comprehensive reconstructive procedures with improved functional, radiographic measures and high patient satisfaction.