Mirror foot – a reflection on three cases

Summary 

Introduction and aims

Mirror-foot abnormalities are distinctly uncommon entities and represent extreme forms of congenital duplication. We present a reflection on three different cases of mirror foot and discuss their surgical management.

Patients and methods

The first patient had a right-sided mirror foot with a central great toe and three complete medial rays. The second patient had quadruplication of the left great toe ray. The third had a full complement of metatarsals associated with two extra complete rays placed medial to the great toe of the right foot. All patients underwent complex ray resection and concurrent reconstruction of the medial arch of foot. All three cases of mirror foot presented and were operated on in the pre-ambulatory period.

Results

All three patients recovered with good functional and aesthetic results. Follow-up duration ranged from 3 to 5 years.

Conclusion

Surgical treatment of the mirror foot is less complicated than that of its upper limb equivalent. Essentially, there must be an initial surgical reduction in the number of digits, coupled with tendon transfers as necessary to maintain foot arches.

Keywords: Mirror foot, Surgical management