Can I Get Calf Implants If I Have Had Clubfoot?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I was born with bilateral club foot. Surgery was completed when I was 3 months old. I still have thin calf muscles,skinny ankle and short feet which affects my confidence in my personal life. I am 30 years old with no other medical condition. I would like to know more about calf augmentation. Looking forward to hearing from you soon.

A:Compared to many clubfoot patients I have seen you are more favorable for calf implants than some. Your legs below the knees are small but do not appear to be overly tight and constricted. When it comes to lower leg augmentation here are the concepts to know:

1) Calf implants augment the upper half of the lower leg where the gastrocnemius muscle resides, not the whole lower leg. (see attached imaging)

2) Your calf tissues will be tight so implant augmentation is restricted to the medlal gastroc muscle…which is the one that is most seen anyway.

3) Any augmentation below the gastroc muscle to the ankle must be done with fat injection grafting…which has an predictable survival rate but is the only treatment option.

Dr. Barry Eppley

World-Renowned Plastic Surgeon