Myelomeningocele

Children with spina bifida develop a wide variety of congenital and acquired orthopaedic deformities. Among these are hip deformities such as contracture, subluxation, or dislocation. Patients may also have problems with the knee joint, such as knee flexion or extension contracture, knee valgus deformity, or late knee instability and pain, as well as rotational deformities of the lower extremities. This chapter will cover foot and ankle deformities associated with spina bifida, including clubfoot, equinus foot, vertical talus, calcaneus and calcaneus valgus foot, ankle and hindfoot valgus, and cavovarus foot. Acquired developmental deformities are related to the level of neurologic involvement and include calcaneus and cavovarus. Orthopaedic deformities may also result from postoperative tethered cord syndrome.