Idiopathic forefoot-adduction deformity: medial capsulotomy and abductor hallucis lengthening for resistant and severe deformities.

Between February 1981 and March 1993, 18 children (29 feet) with resistant forefoot adduction underwent medial capsulotomy and abductor hallucis lengthening for correction. There were 12 feet with metatarsus adductus (two simple, 10 complex) and 17 feet with skewfoot (15 simple and two complex). The mean age at the time of operation was 3.6 years (range, 9 months-5.5 years). When seen 3.6 years (range, 1-8) after surgical correction, all of them showed an improved talofirst metatarsal angle. Two children complained of pain in the foot, and one child had persistent difficulty with shoe fitting. We conclude that medial capsulotomy and abductor hallucis lengthening is a simple procedure that is effective in improving metatarsus adductus deformity.