Historical development of arthrodesis of pes cavus

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Orthopade. 2006 Apr;35(4):372-379.

Historical development of arthrodesis of pes cavus.

Arabmotlagh M, Richolt J, Scale D, Rauschmann M.

Orthopadische Universitatsklinik furt, Stiftung Friedrichsheim,

Marienburg Str. 2, 60528, furt am Main

In contrast to the present, the diagnosis and treatment of pes cavus

was a major subject of research at the beginning of last century.

This was due to the high incidence of certain neurological disorders

(poliomyelitis, myelodysplasia) which led to the development of this

foot deformity. Advances in anaesthetic technique and the

establishment of antisepsis contributed largely to the development of

the surgical treatment of pes cavus. Ladislaus Leo Freiherr von

Lesser performed the first surgically induced ankylosis of the ankle

by denuding the joint surfaces of cartilage followed by fixation with

a metal nail. This procedure was then introduced as arthrodesis; a

word derived from the Greek meaning " binding of the joint " . Numerous

methods and modifications of arthrodesis have been developed for the

correction of foot deformities. With increasing knowledge of the

pathogenesis of pes cavus, soft tissue and tendon transfer procedures

were added to the surgical treatment. Today, the philosophy of

arthrodesis in the treatment of foot deformity is the same, but the

development of fixation techniques and implant materials could

improve postoperative care and outcome.