Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Spastic equinovarus (SEV) is the most common leg deformity after cerebrovascular accident (CVA). This study reviewed functional outcomes after surgical correction of SEV in a cohort of hemiplegic, post-CVA patients.

METHODS:

Sixty-four consecutive post-CVA SEV patients who underwent surgical correction from January 2003 to January 2006 were included. Data parameters included age, sex, duration since CVA, preoperative orthotic and ambulatory requirements, and Viosca ambulation scores. There were 45 females and 19 males. Average age was 54 (range, 24 to 74) years. Average duration from CVA to surgery was 66 (range, 17 to 523) months. Mean followup was 50.1 (range, 12 to 168) weeks. Final outcomes included status of correction, bracing needs, use of assistive devices, and Viosca score. Univariate and multivariate statistical analyses were performed to determine if age, sex, and time from CVA to surgery affected outcome.

RESULTS:

All feet were corrected to plantigrade position. Of the 48 patients who used orthoses preoperatively, 27 (56%) continued use while 11 (44%) were brace-free postoperatively. Of the 23 patients that used an ambulatory assistive device preoperatively, 12 (52%) continued use and 11 (47.8%) were free of assistive devices postoperatively. Median Viosca score improved from two (Independent Household Ambulation) to three (Independent Neighborhood Ambulation) (p < 0.001). There was no statistical association between age, sex, CVA chronicity and outcome parameters.

CONCLUSION:

These results indicate that surgical correction of SEV is effective in post-CVA patients. Patients demonstrated improvement in ambulation score regardless of age, sex, or duration from CVA to surgery.