[Treatment of equinovarus caused by cerebral palsy with neurotomy of muscular branch of tibial nerve].

Objective: To evaluate clinical effect of neurotomy of muscular branch of tibial nerve for the treatment of equinovarus caused by cerebral palsy.

Methods: Fifty-two cases of equinovarus caused by cerebral palsy were treated with neurotomy of muscular branch of tibial nerve. The male was 33 (38 feet) and the female 19 (26 feet) with the average age of 7.8 years old (from 6 to 10). The muscular tension according to Ashworsh grade, 34 cases were grade III and 18 cases were grade IV. The ankle clonus was positive in 42 cases.

Results: All cases were followed up for 1-3 years with the average of 2.6 years. The spastic gait of cases had obviously improved and abnormity had no recurred. According to corrective degree of abnormity and satisfactive condition of patients, evaluation of the effect were excellent in 32 cases, good in 14, poor in 6.

Conclusion: Neurotomy of muscular branch of tibial nerve is the safe and effective method for the treatment of equinovarus caused by cerebral palsy.