Neuropathic foot ulceration in patients with myelodysplasia.

To determine if a significant relationship existed between type of operation and eventual development of pedal skin breakdown in a spina bifida patient population, 72 feet in 36 ambulatory patients with low lumbar or sacral myelomeningocele were followed for an average of 14 years 5 months. Using a clinical classification for foot suppleness and position, we determined that foot rigidity, nonplantigrade position, and performance of surgical arthrodesis were clinical indicators that had a strong statistical relationship with eventual development of neuropathic skin changes.