Calcaneo‐stop for paediatric idiopathic flexible flatfoot: High functional results and return to sport in 644 feet at mid‐term follow‐up

Abstract Purpose Idiopathic flexible flatfoot (IFF) is a frequent condition in children. Patients refractory to conservative treatments may benefit from surgical procedures. The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical outcomes and sport activity levels in a large cohort of paediatric patients tre...

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Main Authors: Simone Silva, Tullia Tavernini, Alessandro Bruschi, Luca Andriolo, Giulia Guizzardi, Margherita Serra, Gino Rocca, Giuseppe Filardo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-01-01
Series:Journal of Experimental Orthopaedics
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/jeo2.70182
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author Simone Silva
Tullia Tavernini
Alessandro Bruschi
Luca Andriolo
Giulia Guizzardi
Margherita Serra
Gino Rocca
Giuseppe Filardo
author_facet Simone Silva
Tullia Tavernini
Alessandro Bruschi
Luca Andriolo
Giulia Guizzardi
Margherita Serra
Gino Rocca
Giuseppe Filardo
author_sort Simone Silva
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Purpose Idiopathic flexible flatfoot (IFF) is a frequent condition in children. Patients refractory to conservative treatments may benefit from surgical procedures. The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical outcomes and sport activity levels in a large cohort of paediatric patients treated with calcaneo‐stop (CS) for the symptomatic IFF. Methods A single‐centre retrospective study was conducted using an institutional database that prospectively collected clinical outcomes of patients treated with CS for symptomatic IFF. The procedure included the implantation of a cancellous screw through the talus, which was subsequently removed after 2 years. A total of 644 feet (336 consecutive patients) followed up to a mean of 41.3 ± 6.7 months after implant removal were included. Foot pain and sport activity were assessed. Results A successful outcome, defined as the presence of a painless, corrected foot together with patient satisfaction, was obtained in 94% of the patients, while 35 feet were considered failed. Extracurricular sport participation was possible in most patients after CS screw implantation (55%) and fully recovered after implant removal (77%). No activity level increase was shown compared to baseline. The only factor that correlated significantly with the incidence of failures was the occurrence of adverse events (p = 0.001), which negatively influenced also the sport activity level (p = 0.008). Females obtained lower Tegner scores compared to males (3.5 vs. 5.0, p < 0.0005). Conclusions CS procedure provided highly satisfactory clinical results at mid‐term follow‐up. Full sport activity level was recovered after screw removal and a 94% favourable outcome was obtained in terms of foot pain relief as well as patient and parents satisfaction. Level of Evidence Level IV, case series.
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spelling doaj-art-e2a60bbd319444a3a001753adfc76c3a2025-08-20T02:26:05ZengWileyJournal of Experimental Orthopaedics2197-11532025-01-01121n/an/a10.1002/jeo2.70182Calcaneo‐stop for paediatric idiopathic flexible flatfoot: High functional results and return to sport in 644 feet at mid‐term follow‐upSimone Silva0Tullia Tavernini1Alessandro Bruschi2Luca Andriolo3Giulia Guizzardi4Margherita Serra5Gino Rocca6Giuseppe Filardo7Clinica Ortopedica e Traumatologica 2, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli Bologna ItalySC Ortopedia e Traumatologia Pediatrica, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli Bologna ItalyDepartment of Medical and Surgical Sciences University of Bologna Bologna ItalyClinica Ortopedica e Traumatologica 2, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli Bologna ItalyClinica Ortopedica e Traumatologica 2, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli Bologna ItalyClinica Ortopedica e Traumatologica 2, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli Bologna ItalySC Ortopedia e Traumatologia Pediatrica, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli Bologna ItalyFaculty of Biomedical Sciences Università della Svizzera Italiana Lugano SwitzerlandAbstract Purpose Idiopathic flexible flatfoot (IFF) is a frequent condition in children. Patients refractory to conservative treatments may benefit from surgical procedures. The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical outcomes and sport activity levels in a large cohort of paediatric patients treated with calcaneo‐stop (CS) for the symptomatic IFF. Methods A single‐centre retrospective study was conducted using an institutional database that prospectively collected clinical outcomes of patients treated with CS for symptomatic IFF. The procedure included the implantation of a cancellous screw through the talus, which was subsequently removed after 2 years. A total of 644 feet (336 consecutive patients) followed up to a mean of 41.3 ± 6.7 months after implant removal were included. Foot pain and sport activity were assessed. Results A successful outcome, defined as the presence of a painless, corrected foot together with patient satisfaction, was obtained in 94% of the patients, while 35 feet were considered failed. Extracurricular sport participation was possible in most patients after CS screw implantation (55%) and fully recovered after implant removal (77%). No activity level increase was shown compared to baseline. The only factor that correlated significantly with the incidence of failures was the occurrence of adverse events (p = 0.001), which negatively influenced also the sport activity level (p = 0.008). Females obtained lower Tegner scores compared to males (3.5 vs. 5.0, p < 0.0005). Conclusions CS procedure provided highly satisfactory clinical results at mid‐term follow‐up. Full sport activity level was recovered after screw removal and a 94% favourable outcome was obtained in terms of foot pain relief as well as patient and parents satisfaction. Level of Evidence Level IV, case series.https://doi.org/10.1002/jeo2.70182arthroereisiscalcaneo‐stopidiopathic flexible flatfootsport
spellingShingle Simone Silva
Tullia Tavernini
Alessandro Bruschi
Luca Andriolo
Giulia Guizzardi
Margherita Serra
Gino Rocca
Giuseppe Filardo
Calcaneo‐stop for paediatric idiopathic flexible flatfoot: High functional results and return to sport in 644 feet at mid‐term follow‐up
Journal of Experimental Orthopaedics
arthroereisis
calcaneo‐stop
idiopathic flexible flatfoot
sport
title Calcaneo‐stop for paediatric idiopathic flexible flatfoot: High functional results and return to sport in 644 feet at mid‐term follow‐up
title_full Calcaneo‐stop for paediatric idiopathic flexible flatfoot: High functional results and return to sport in 644 feet at mid‐term follow‐up
title_fullStr Calcaneo‐stop for paediatric idiopathic flexible flatfoot: High functional results and return to sport in 644 feet at mid‐term follow‐up
title_full_unstemmed Calcaneo‐stop for paediatric idiopathic flexible flatfoot: High functional results and return to sport in 644 feet at mid‐term follow‐up
title_short Calcaneo‐stop for paediatric idiopathic flexible flatfoot: High functional results and return to sport in 644 feet at mid‐term follow‐up
title_sort calcaneo stop for paediatric idiopathic flexible flatfoot high functional results and return to sport in 644 feet at mid term follow up
topic arthroereisis
calcaneo‐stop
idiopathic flexible flatfoot
sport
url https://doi.org/10.1002/jeo2.70182
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