Correction of severe residual clubfoot deformity in adolescents with the Ilizarov technique.

Correction of severe residual clubfoot deformities in adolescents is a difficult undertaking and historically has had mediocre success without an accompanying arthrodesis procedure. Soft tissue release alone has yielded extremely high recurrence rates. Additional osteotomies have been used for correction of single deformities in one plane. The use of Ilizarov external fixation techniques has allowed for improvement of correction, stabilization, and decrease in recurrence rates. The technique, however, is difficult and should be performed by surgeons who are familiar with correction of pediatric foot and ankle deformities and are versed fully in Ilizarov fixation techniques.