Posterior tibial tendon transfer for drop-foot: 20 cases followed for 1–5 years

Abstract

From 1991 to 1997 we performed 20 tibialis posterior tendon-transfer operations in 17 patients with drop-foot, in 11 of peripheral neurogenic origin and in 6 because of neuromuscular disease. Postoperatively, all patients could walk without an ankle-foot orthosis. At follow-up after mean 2 (1–5) years, all patients had active dorsiflexion of the foot and toes, with a median active ankle dorsiflexion of 5° (−15–10°). The median active plantar flexion was 40° (10–45°), and the total range of movement was 40° (15–50°). At foi-low-up, the gait was good in 15 and improved in 2 of the 17 patients.