BACKGROUND: The aim of this prospective non randomized case series study was to assess the intermediate-term outcomes of double calcaneal osteotomy (lateral column lengthening and medial slide calcaneal osteotomy) use in ambulatory cerebral palsy with flexible planovalgus feet.
METHODS: 16 cases with planovalgus feet were surgically treated by double calcaneal osteotomy and observed over an average of 33.5months. The mean age at the time of surgery was 10.74years. The functional outcomes were assessed clinically and radiologically.
RESULTS: There were a statistical improvement of clinical heel valgus and all radiological parameters as regard talar head uncoverage, calcaneal pitch, talo-calcaneal angle, and talus 1st metatarsal angle at the end of follow up period.
CONCLUSIONS: Double calcaneal osteotomy is a good option in the treatment of flexible planovalgus feet in ambulatory cerebral palsy patients.

Foot deformities in children with cerebral palsy are common. The natural history of the deformities of the feet is very variable and very unpredictable in young children less then 5 years old. Treatment for the young children should be primarily with orthotics and manual therapy. Equinus is the most common deformity, with orthotics augmented with botulinum toxin being the primary management in young children. When fixed deformity develops lengthening only the muscle which is contracted is preferred. Varus deformity of the feet is often associated with equinus, and can almost always be managed with orthotics until 8 or 10 years of age. Planovalgus is the most common deformity in children with bilateral lower extremity spasticity. The primary management is orthotics until the child no longer tolerates the orthotic; then surgical management needs to consider all the deformities and all should be corrected. This requires correcting the subtalor subluxation with calcaneal lengthening or fusion, medial midfoot correction with osteotomy or fusion.