One hundred and ninety-one feet with residual cavovarus deformities from
club foot or poliomyelitis were treated by a plantar release followed by
correction with serial cast application. Roentgenographically, there was
significant improvement in the adduction of the fore part of the foot and
the cavus deformity, but the varus angulation of the hind part of the foot
did not improve. In children more than six years old with deformities
resulting from club foot, the plantar release was particularly effective in
alleviating residual cavus deformity. In cavus deformity resulting from
poliomyelitis, preliminary data indicate a positive effect in feet with
pure cavus deformity and cavus deformity associated with equinus angulation
of the hind part of the foot, while the results in feet with a cavus
deformity and associated calcaneal deformity of the hind part of the foot
typically were unsatisfactory.