Functional Activity After Flatfoot Reconstruction With Lateral Column Lengthening.

Background: The objective of this study was to evaluate return to activity following flatfoot reconstruction with lateral column lengthening (LCL) by assessing functional postoperative data and identifying patient characteristics associated with poor function following surgery.

Methods: Consecutive patients that underwent operative flatfoot correction including LCL and other necessary procedures from 2014 to 2019 by 3 fellowship trained foot and ankle orthopedic surgeons were retrospectively administered Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM) Activities of Daily Living (ADL) and FAAM Sports questionnaires with no preoperative scoring available. Patient demographic factors, comorbidities, and radiographic features were evaluated as predictors of outcome scores to simulate return to activity. Statistical analysis, including student's t-tests and analysis of variance, was performed.

Results: A total of 54 patients were included. A body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m² or greater was associated with a lower ADL score (P = .002) and Sports score (P = .002). Preoperative hindfoot valgus of 9° or higher was associated with higher ADL scores (P = .040). Neither age nor any flatfoot radiographic parameters yielded significant differences in functional scores.

Conclusion: This study demonstrated relatively high average FAAM scores in both the ADL and the sports subscales, consistent with previous studies. This study also identified lower BMI and greater preoperative hindfoot valgus as potential predictors of improved functional outcome following reconstruction.

Level of evidence: Level III: Retrospective case control.