[Plantar release in the treatment of pes cavus in childhood. Technique and indications (author's transl)].

The authors have operated on forty instances of pes cavus in children. Ten were idiopathic, nine poliomyelitic, five hemiplegic and five as a sequel of club foot. Others cases were of various neurological cause. In all cases, the plantar fasciae and ligaments were released; the technique of this procedure is fully described. In a number of cases, soft tissue release was associated with an osteotomy of the first metatarsal, a transplant of the extensor hallucis longus to the neck of the first metatarsal, an osteotomy of the calcaneus or various muscle transplants depending on the etiology of the cavus deformity. The results are analysed as are the complications. They were satisfactory in 66 p. 100 of cases. It is concluded that plantar release procedures may either avoid arthrodesis or may lead to it later but with the foot in a more satisfactory condition.