ABSTRACT:
The clinical disorder traditionally known as pes planovalgus due to
posterior tibial tendon insufficiency or adult-acquired pes
planovalgus has been the subject of several publications over the
past two decades. Now, it is understood that the problem does not lie in the
posterior tibial tendon per se and may even occur without tendon injury. Studies
have brought new concepts and understanding that question the views on this
subject, culminating in the replacement of existing classifications with one
that is more assertive and discriminative of the potential presentation patterns
of the deformity. In addition, a change in the name of the disorder to
progressive collapsing foot deformity (PCFD) has been
proposed.
Regarding surgical treatment, the concept of an à la carte
approach persists, emphasizing axis realignment through osteotomies,
arthrodeses, and soft tissue balancing, which consists of tendon
transpositions/repairs and reconstruction of ligament structures, especially the
deltoid ligament complex and the spring ligament.
Keywords: adult; flatfoot; foot deformities; posterior tibial tendon dysfunction.
RESUMO:
O distúrbio clínico tradicionalmente conhecido como pé plano valgo por
insuficiência do tendão tibial posterior ou pé plano valgo
adquirido do adulto tem sido objeto de diversas publicações nas
últimas duas décadas, e entende-se agora que o problema não está no tendão
tibial posterior em si, pois o distúrbio pode ocorrer até mesmo sem a lesão
desse tendão. Estudos trouxeram novos conceitos e entendimentos que questionaram
o olhar sobre o tema, o que culminou na substituição das classificações
existentes por uma que fosse mais assertiva e discriminativa dos possíveis
padrões de apresentação da deformidade. Além disso, também propôs-se a mudança
da nomenclatura para “deformidade colapsante progressiva do pé” (DCPP;
progressive collapsing foot deformity, PCFD, em
inglês).
Quanto ao tratamento cirúrgico, ainda persiste o conceito de abordagem à
la carte, com ênfase no realinhamento dos eixos, o que pode ser
obtido por meio de osteotomias, artrodeses e equilíbrio de partes moles, que
consiste em transposições/reparos tendinosos e reconstrução de estruturas
ligamentares, sobretudo do complexo ligamentar deltoide e do ligamento mola.
Palavras-chave: adulto; deformidades do pé; disfunção do tendão tibial posterior; pé chato.
FIGURES
| Citation: Dressler HB, Carvalho KAM, Zambelli R, Mansur NSB, Cesar Netto C. Acquired Pes Planovalgus: Current Concepts – “From Adult Acquired Pes Planovalgus to Progressive Collapsing Foot Deformity”. 59(6):e809. doi:10.1055/s-0044-1793823 |
| Financial Support RZ reports support for the present manuscript from the International Society of Thrombosis and Haemostasis. CCN reports grants or contracts from Paragon 28, OREF, and the University of Iowa; royalties or licenses from Paragon 28, Medartis, and Extremity Medical; consulting fees from Paragon 28, Zimmer-Biomet, Medartis, and Stryker; payments received from Extremity Medical and Artelon; Payment or honoraria received from Paragon 28, Zimmer-Biomet, Medartis, Stryker, and Artelon; payment for expert testimony from Stryker and Paragon 28; support for attending meetings and/or travel from Curve-Beam, Paragon 28, Zimmer-Biomet, and Stryker; leadership or fiduciary role in Foot and Ankle Clinics as editor in chief, AOFAS committee member, AAOS committee member; payments received as Media Board Member FAI, vice-President of the International Weight Bearing CT Society; and stock or stock options with CurveBeam AI and Tayco Brace. |
|
Conflict of Interests The authors have no conflict of interests to declare. |
| Received: September 08 2023; Accepted: November 06 2023 |
INTRODUCTION
Since the description of the 3 classic stages by Johnson and Strom in 1989,1 which was modified by Myerson in 19972 and, later, by Bluman et al.3 in 2007, the clinical disorder historically known as adult acquired pes planovalgus due to insufficiency of the posterior tibial tendon (PTT) has been the subjectofcountlesspublications and questions regarding the role of the PTT in its pathogenesis and the sequence of events that result in the development of this complex, multifactorial, multifocal, and three-dimensional deformity of the foot and ankle.
The literature has dedicated efforts to understanding the disorder better and classifying it in a more reproducible manner to guide treatment and improve its outcomes. The nomenclature used for pes planovalgus deformities, including rupture, dysfunction, or insufficiency of the PTT and acquired pes planovalgus in adults, does not reflect its pathogenesis. It has been recognized that pes planovalgus is not necessarily associated with PTT disruption, it may begin in childhood, and arch flattening is only one aspect of this multiplanar deformity.4
UNDERSTANDING THE DEFORMITY
Although PTT dysfunction is widely accepted as a significant contributor to pes planovalgus, there are several other structures involved besides the tendon,5 which may represent only the tip of the iceberg when considering the degree of medial and plantar soft tissue injury and strain.
Progressive collapsing foot deformity (PCFD) is complex and consists of several components with varying degrees of severity: midfoot abduction deformity, primarily due to lateral deviation at the talonavicular joint; peritalar subluxation, resulting in foot and hindfoot deviation in all three major planes and progressing to subtalar joint eversion; plantar flexion of the talus and forefoot abduction; varus forefoot with the first ray elevated above thefifth metatarsal; and hindfoot valgus.6
The stages arbitrarily defined as consecutive in the classic classifications can actually occur in a disorganized fashion, without following a spectrum of progression that is necessarily consecutive. Therefore, even if the PTT remains present and has no rupture or insufficiency, deformities can occur, including in the tarsometatarsal joints and the naviculocuneiform joints, potentially with a rupture or attenuation of the plantar fascia, the spring ligament, and the deltoid ligament in any combination.5,7 Researchers have neglected the significant participation of the spring ligament and its sling effect for decades, and they did not even consider it for classification purposes.8 It is known that this suspensory effect of the spring ligament evolves with failure, contributing to a collapse worsening.
In summary, the deformities result from an imbalance of bone, muscle, and ligament components acting together.
In the propedeutic evaluation, the following conventional weight-bearing radiographs are required to evaluate patients with PCFD: anteroposterior of the foot and ankle with weight-bearing, mortise, and lateral of the ankle and foot with weight-bearing.9
If available, a hindfoot alignment view is strongly recommended, as is weight-bearing computed tomography (WCT). A WBCT scan from patients with the deformity reveals important findings, such as sinus tarsi impingement, subfibular impingement, increased valgus tilt of the posterior facet of the subtalar joint, and subluxation of the subtalar joint at the posterior and middle facets or both10,11 (►Fig. 1).
Although WBCT in Brazil remains available for research purposes alone, not for routine clinical use, it is critical to consider its relevant application to understand deformities. This tool enables the assessment of the relationship between the position of the foot’s tripod (weight-bearing points of the first and fifth metatarsal heads and the calcaneal tuberosity) and the center of the ankle joint (the most proximal and central point of the talar dome) and the representation of different components of the three-dimensional deformity in a single measurement, a parameter known as the foot and ankle offset12 (FAO) (►Fig. 2A–E).13
UPDATED NOMENCLATURE
Recently, a consensus of experts14 proposed a new nomenclature and a new classification system, both based on the flexibility, type, and location of the deformities. Thisgroup14 recommended changing the condition’s name to PCDF, considering it is a complex and variable three-dimensional deformity. The words progressive and collapsing convey a better idea of the increasing and evolving nature of the complexity of this multiplanar deformity. These considerations may improve understanding and avoid an underestimation of the disorder, as occurred with the previous terminology.
Since the PTT per se is not the main problem, the new nomenclature does not include it. Furthermore, avoiding the use of acquired pes planovalgus as a terminology has been suggested, since many people are born with flatfoot and are never symptomatic; in addition, arch flattening is only one component of a complex, three-dimensional deformity.7,8 In general, a flatfoot can be a normal finding; however, the factor requiring consideration is a progressive worsening of this deformity or, more precisely, a progressive collapse.
UPDATED CLASSIFICATION
The evolution in the understanding of pes planovalgus in adults and the continuous improvement in three-dimensional imaging resulted in the perception of more limitations in the previous classification systems. An ideal classification for any condition should be concise, easy to use, and reproducible, and it should enable universal use and incorporate different deformities, to promote report standardization and guide treatment to achieve optimal outcomes.
The alphanumeric classification system for PCDF consists of 2 sequential stages of flexibility/rigidity of the deformities (stage 1: flexible deformity; and stage 2: rigid deformity) and 5 different deformity classes (A: hindfoot valgus; B: midfoot/forefoot abduction; C: forefoot varus deformity/medial column instability; D: peritalar subluxation/dislocation; and E: ankle valgus deformity), which can occur alone or in any combination. Thus, each deformity class can be flexible or rigid (►Table 1). This new classification system has been validated with satisfactory intra- and interexaminer reliability.7,15,16,17
| Stage 1 (flexible) | Stage 2 (rigid) | |
|---|---|---|
| Deformity types (classes - isolated or combined) | ||
| Deformity type/location | Clinical and radiographic findings | |
| Class A | Hindfoot valgus | Hindfoot valgus/increased hindfoot alignment angle and foot and ankle offset |
| Class B | Midfoot/forefoot abduction | Decreased talar coverage/presence of sinus tarsi impingement |
| Class C | Forefoot varus/medial column instability | Increased talus–first metatarsal angle/medial plantar tarsometatarsal or naviculocuneiform gap/forefoot varus |
| Class D | Peritalar subluxation or dislocation | Significant subtalar subluxation/sinus tarsi impingement and subfibular impingement |
| Class E | Ankle valgus instability | Valgus talar tilt |
Therefore, the PCDF classification relies on flexible (stage I) or rigid (stage II) deformities and is further described by the addition of one or more deformities (isolated or combined – classes A to E). A case of rigid hindfoot valgus (2A), flexible and unstable medial column (1C), and forefoot abduction that cannot undergo reduction (2B), for instance, should be reported as A2B2C1, because the examiner will first determine the location of the deformities, and then, whether they are rigid or flexible.
TREATMENT
A non-surgical approach should be considered in initial cases and in those with some clinical impediment to the surgery. This treatment modality cannot correct any existing deformity; however, it may improve symptoms and the quality of life of patients. It is possible to use anti-inflammatory medications, insoles, ankle stabilizing orthoses, and rigid shoes with a rocker-bottom or blotting-paper pattern.18
Considering the deformity spectrum in PCDF, the surgical strategy should be individually evaluated to define the required procedures. Therefore, it is critical to determine the specific existing abnormalities and deformities. This highlights the importance of the new classification, since it considers the type and location (classes) and the flexibility/rigidity of the deformities (stages), reinforcing the à la carte nature of the management of this disease.
The general objectiveofthe correctionisthe realignmentof the tripod with the ankle, promoting the correction of the FAO determined by WBCT.19 Achieving this objective reduces reconstruction failures through calcaneal medialization/lowering osteotomies6,20 and simple or combined arthrodeses of the hindfoot associated or not with the soft-tissue approach. One must always consider the contracture in the posterior leg muscles, specifically the soleus andgastrocnemius muscles, as a deforming force in hindfoot eversion. This may require lengthening of the gastrocnemius or even of the entire calcaneal tendon and medialization osteotomy of the calcaneus, repositioning it as an inverter.6
Tendon transfers, such as tenodesis of the peroneus brevis on the peroneus longus, help to reduce the everting moment of the foot and act on the flexion of the first ray by enhancing the action of the peroneus longus. In addition, the approach to the medial structures plays a significant role in tendon retensioning and reconstruction of the deltoid ligament and spring ligament through direct repair and/or reconstruction associated with stabilization tapes.8,21,22,24
One must also consider methods for column realignment, such as lowering and stabilizing the medial column (Cotton, LapiCotton, or both)25,26 or lateral column alignment (Evans).23
FINAL CONSIDERATIONS
Progressive collapsing deformityof the foot iscomplex, and it is essential to understand that pes planovalgus is not necessarily a problem requiring intervention but warranting attention and treatment. As the condition progresses and worsens, cases that were initially flexible often become rigid and evolve with clinical and functional worsening.
There is no ideal and clear treatment algorithm to address PCDF deformities, and treatment must be individualized.
In general, surgical intervention for PCDF improves functional performance, but more studies are needed to demonstrate the reliability and durability of these corrections.27
