The Heyman-Herndon tarsometatarsal capsulotomy for metatarsus adductus: results in 48 feet.

Forty-eight Heyman-Herndon tarsometatarsal capsulotomies were performed over an 18-year period for idiopathic metatarsus adductus and residual adductus of clubfoot. There was a 41% overall failure rate and a 50% incidence of painful dorsal prominence at the surgical scar. Sixty-eight percent of the patients had difficulty with proper shoe fitting. Those with associated orthopedic anomalies were at high risk for a poor result. We believe that tarsometatarsal capsulotomy is of questionable benefit in treatment of forefoot adduction deformities of children.