Scarred muscle excision for the treatment of established ischemic contracture of the lower extremity.

Nine patients with rigid equinocavovarus contractures of the foot and ankle after ischemic episodes of the leg were treated from 1986 to 1989. The ischemic contractures occurred after tibial and fibular fractures in six cases, and after a trimalleolar ankle fracture, an electrical burn, and cardiac bypass surgery in one case each. Previous tendon and nerve releases had failed. The scarred portion of the various involved muscles of the deep posterior compartment were widely excised along with the respective tendons. A variety of additional foot procedures were generally necessary to obtain a plantigrade foot. Night splinting to maintain a plantigrade foot was prescribed for all patients.