Sensitivity of plantar pressure and talonavicular alignment to lateral column lengthening in flatfoot reconstruction.

Abstract

Lateral column lengthening (LCL) of the calcaneus is commonly performed as part of correction of the adult acquired flatfoot deformity. Increases in postoperative lateral plantar pressure associated with pain in the lateral aspect of the foot have been reported. The aim of this study was to investigate changes in pressures in the lateral aspect of the forefoot with increments of 6, 8, and 10 mm of LCL in a cadaveric flatfoot model. The hypothesis was that increasing the LCL incrementally by 2 mm will linearly increase the plantar pressures in the lateral aspect of the forefoot.