OBJECTIVETo evaluate the functional outcomes of modified limited "L" incision beside the Achilles tendon with distraction bone block arthrodesis in treatment of subtalar osteoarthritis.

METHODSFrom March 2009 to September 2012, a total of 22 cases of old calcaneus fractures with subtalar osteoarthritis were treated with modified limited "L" incision and distraction bone block arthrodesis including 13 males and 9 females with a mean age of 35.3 years old (ranged 22 to 49). The mean time from calcaneal fracture was 21 months (ranged 11 to 32). According to the Stephens-Sanders classification, 16 cases were type II and 6 were type III. The modified-AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score was used for functional outcomes evaluation.

RESULTSThere was one incision necrosis and no infection, implant failure, bone-graft absorbed or talus necrosis was note at the follow-up time. A total of 21 cases were followed up for a mean time of 29 months (ranged from 18 to 46 months). All of the cases reached a bony union within 4 months postoperation. The mean modified-AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score was 82.6 points (ranged from 66 to 92 points),reached a significantly improvement in comparing with the mean preoperative score (50.8 points,ranged from 32 to 65 points, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe modified limited"L" incision beside the Achilles tendon with distraction bone block arthrodesis is an acceptable and alternative treatment method for subtalar osteoarthritis. This method is easy to use and with less complication. It can correct the main pathological changes and reach good functional outcomes.

Adult ; Arthrodesis ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteoarthritis ; surgery ; Subtalar Joint ; surgery

Flatfoot could be divided into flexible flatfoot and rigid flatfoot. Flatfoot with symptoms is called symptomatic flatfoot, surgical treatment is required if conservative treatment is not effective. Subtalar arthroereisis is a minimally invasive procedure which has been used for many years with good results in flexible flatfoot, however, still has many controversial points. Controversial points focus on indications and contraindications, optimal age, subtalar arthroereisis alone or not, efficacy and safety of absorbable material implants, and implant removal. The paper reviewed and summarized the use and controversies of subtalar arthroereisis in symptomatic flatfoot as follows:the best indication for subtalar arthroereisis was pediatric flexible flatfoot syndrome and aged from 10 to 12 years old was optimal age for treatment;tarsal coalitions with flatfoot and adult flatfoot were relative indications. Stiff flatfoot, joint laxity, and subtalar arthritis were contraindications;obesity and neurogenic flexible flatfoot were relative contraindications. The correction ability of subtalar arthroereisis alone was limited, and it's combined with other procedures depending on patient's situation. The safety and efficacy of absorbable material implants had been reported. Routine removal of the implant was not necessary, the main reason of which was tarsal sinus pain.
Adult ; Humans ; Child ; Flatfoot/surgery* ; Orthopedic Procedures/methods* ; Absorbable Implants ; Subtalar Joint/surgery* ; Heel/surgery* ; Pain/surgery*

OBJECTIVETo review the operative technique of trephine arthrodesis of subtalar joints and evaluate its clinical effect.

METHODSFrom June 1998 to October 2006, we performed subtalar arthrodesis on 38 feet of 34 patients for a variety of painful disorders of hindfoot with trephine technique. Clinical and radiologic follow-up evaluations were performed for 45 months on average (range, 21 to 110 months) after arthrodesis.

RESULTSNo severe complications were found in this study except one patient with dropfoot and two with skin necrosis. The average ankle-hindfoot scores of the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) was improved from 48.3 preoperatively to 79.2 postoperatively (P<0.05). The pain scores of visual analogue scales (VAS) decreased from 7.2 (range, 3 to 10) preoperatively to 2.6 (range, 1 to 6) postoperatively (P<0.05). Subjectively, the patients experienced improvements in pain, function, cosmesis, and shoewearing. Overall, 30 patients were satisfied and all patients would have this procedure again under similar circumstances. Postoperative radiology showed that complete union was found in 35 feet 6 months after operation, with the successful union rate of 92.1%. There was an increase in arthritic scores for 5 ankles, 4 talonavicular joints, 4 calcaneocuboid joints, and 4 midfoot joints. Nonunion occurred in 3 subtalar joints with anterolateral approach, which required revision arthrodesis.

CONCLUSIONIsolated subtalar arthrodesis with trephine method is an effective procedure for painful malalignment of hindfoot.

Adult ; Aged ; Arthrodesis ; adverse effects ; methods ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pain Measurement ; Subtalar Joint ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo report the results of arthroscopic release to treat subtalar stiffness after calcaneal fractures.

METHODSFrom September 2004 to December 2006, 10 cases of subtalar stiffness were treated. There were 8 male and 2 female cases, with an average age of 36 years old (ranging from 18 to 48). All, but 2 cases, had single subtalar involvement. The routine triple portals (lateral, anterolateral, posterolateral portals) were applied with the patient placed in the lateral decubitus position. The anterior capsule, lateral gap, calcaneofibular ligament, posterior capsule together with the posteromedial corner of the subtalar joint were released step by step under arthroscopic control. Finally, manual release was performed.

RESULTSAll cases were followed-up for 12 to 36 months (mean, 24.5 months). According to the AOFAS hindfoot activity rating scale, 10 cases were rated as Grade III, 2 as Grade II before the surgery. Nine cases were improved to Grade I, 3 to Grade II at the last follow-up after the surgery. AOFAS hindfoot scores were significantly improved from 71.4 before the surgery to 90.6 at the last follow-up (P < 0.01). All cases returned to the previous work at an average of 1.8 months (range, 1 to 3 months) after the surgery.

CONCLUSIONArthroscopic release to treat subtalar stiffness after calcaneal fracture has such advantages as minimally-invasiveness, simplicity and effectiveness.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Arthroscopy ; methods ; Calcaneus ; injuries ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fractures, Bone ; complications ; Humans ; Joint Diseases ; etiology ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Subtalar Joint ; physiopathology ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

Subtalar dislocation is defined as a separation of the talocalcaneal and talonavicular articulations, commonly caused by high-energy mechanisms, which include falls from height, motor vehicle crashes, and twisting leg injuries. The dislocations are divided into medial, lateral, anterior, and posterior types on the basis of the direction in which the distal part of the foot has shifted in relation to the talus. The most common type is medial dislocation resulted from inversion injury. Subtalar dislocation may accompany with other fractures. Physical examination must be performed carefully to assess for neurovascular compromise. Most of the subtalar dislocations can be treated with closed reduction under sedation. If this is not possible, open reduction without further delay should be conducted. After primary treatment, X-ray and computed tomography scan should be performed to evaluate the alignment and the fractures. We report a 37-year-old male patient sustained a subtalar dislocation without any bony injury when he was playing football. The patient was successfully treated by closed reduction, and a good alignment was observed at the last follow-up. The pathogenesis and treatment method of this case were analyzed, and the related literature were reviewed, which provided a reference for future clinical treatment.
Adult ; Closed Fracture Reduction/methods* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Football/injuries* ; Humans ; Joint Dislocations/surgery* ; Male ; Subtalar Joint/injuries* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo report and evaluate the results of subtalar distraction bone block fusion in the treatment of malunited calcaneus fracture.

METHODSFrom September 2004 to January 2008, 32 cases of malunited calcaneus fracture were treated, among which 28 cases were classified type II and 4 cases type III by Stephens-Sander's classification. Preoperative X-ray and CT examination demonstrated a talocalcaneal angle of 18.1 degrees ± 2.3 degrees , and an AOFAS score of 36.3 ± 4.1. Subtalar distraction bone block fusion was performed in all cases in this series. Regular follow-up was done with talocalcaneal angle measurement and AOFAS scoring.

RESULTSAll the 32 patients had been followed-up of 34 months, ranging from 24 to 65 months, only to reveal a primary wound healing without infection in all but one, in which superficial skin necrosis occurred postoperatively and healed after dressing-changes. Bone healing at the fusion site was seen 3 months after operation in all cases. At the final follow-up, the talocalcaneal angle was 22.9° ± 1.9° and the AOFAS score 77.5 ± 4.1, both demonstrating a significant difference (P < 0.05), when compared with those before operation.

CONCLUSIONSubtalar distraction bone block fusion, together with the lateral wall decompression, can correct the main deformity and reduce major symptoms induced by the malunion of calcaneus fractures, being a convenient and practical option for the treatment of malunited calcaneus fracture.

Adult ; Arthrodesis ; methods ; Bone Transplantation ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fracture Healing ; Fractures, Malunited ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Subtalar Joint ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the methods of reduction and stable fixation for the treatment of calcaneus fracture involving posterior subtalar articular facet.

METHODSFrom September 2004 to September 2008, 31 cases(38 feet) of calcaneus fracture involving posterior subtalar articular facet were treated with open reduction and plate fixation through L incision. There were 24 males and 7 females, with an average age of 39.6 years ranging from 20 to 65 years. All patients underwent systematic CT-scan with coronal and horizontal images and sagittal reconstruction. The classification of the fractures by the Sanders scale showed that there were 22 of type II,14 of type III, 2 of type IV.

RESULTSAll cases were followed up for from 12 to 36 months with an average of 25 months, and all the fractures healed without skin flap necrosis. According to the Maryland foot scoring, the total score was (96.2 +/- 8.8) on average, the results were excellent in 32 feet, good in 4 feet, fair in 2 feet.

CONCLUSIONThe replacement of the posterior articular facet by X-ray control of Broden and open reduction and internal fixation with calcaneus plate and Schanz-Screw during the operation can keep stable of articular facet, and promote early rehabilitation of calcaneus fracture affected with subtalar joint.

Adult ; Aged ; Bone Plates ; Calcaneus ; injuries ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Fractures, Bone ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Subtalar Joint ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo assess the optimal configuration of double-screw fixation for subtalar arthrodesis using finite element analysis.

METHODSThree-dimensional finite element double-screw models of subtalar arthrodesis were reconstructed using Mimics 13.0, Geomagic 10.0 and solid works software based on the 3-D images of the volunteer's right foot. The external and internal rotation torques of 4 N·m were applied, and the micromotion at the bone-to-bone interface were measured to evaluate the initial stability of subtalar arthrodesis.

RESULTSA neck screw plus an anterolateral dome screw was the most stable model. The peak micromotion at the fusion site of this fixation configuration were 41.67mnplus;0.49 and 42.64mnplus;0.75 µm in response to the respectively. A neck screw plus a posteromedial dome screw was the least stable model, with peak micromotion at the bone-to-bone interface of 61.76mnplus;1.00 and 62.32mnplus;0.90 µm, respectively.

CONCLUSIONA neck screw plus an anterolateral dome screw is the best fixation configuration while a neck screw plus a posteromedial screw provides the least stability of subtalar arthrodesis. Three-dimensional finite element models allow effective preoperative planning of the screw number and placement.

Adult ; Ankle ; diagnostic imaging ; Arthrodesis ; methods ; Bone Screws ; Finite Element Analysis ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Internal Fixators ; Models, Anatomic ; Software ; Subtalar Joint ; surgery ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVETo observe the outcome of treatment for serious old intra-articular calcaneal fracture by reconstruction of calcaneal thalamus and subtalar arthrodesis and to summarize the operative indications and its attention points.

METHODSFrom March 2006 to July 2011,26 patients with Sanders type III old intra-articular calcaneal fracture were treated including 15 males and 11 females with an average age of 34 years old ranging from 27 to 45 years old. The clinical courses ranged from 7 to 24 months with an average of 18 months. Before the operation,X-ray and CT showed that Gissane angle increased while Böhler angle decreased,and calcaneus broadened,bulging on both sides. After the operations,all patients tested by imaging examination, and the width of calcaneus, the height of calcaneal thalamus, the Böhler angle and Gissane angle were measured to compare with the preoperative data. Besides, for identification of improvement of the operation,the functions of patient's feet after the operation were graded according to AOFAS Ankle-Hindfoot Scale to compare with preoperative data.

RESULTSAmong them, 24 patients were followed-up from 5 to 26 months with an average of 19 months. X-rays confirmed that all cases healed successfully. There were no serious infection, and only one skin necrosis case. Sural neurocutaneous island flap was used to repair the skin with success. According to AOFAS Ankle-Hindfoot Scale, the total score increased from preoperative (41.00 +/- 8.22) to postoperative (79.04 +/- 7.46). There were 3 cases of excellent result, 15 cases of good result,and 6 cases of fair result. Postoperative width of calcaneus, the height of thalamus, Böhler angle and Gissane angle were better than that of preoperative data, and had statistical significance between two groups.

CONCLUSIONSubtalar arthrodesis with the reconstruction of calcaneal thalamus is an effective way to treat old intra-articular calcaneal fractures. It can correct the calcaneal deformity, restore the shape of foot and improve the function of hind foot.

Adult ; Ankle Fractures ; Arthrodesis ; methods ; Bone Transplantation ; Calcaneus ; injuries ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Intra-Articular Fractures ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Subtalar Joint ; injuries ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUND: There are no reports of the pressure changes across the foot after extraarticular subtalar arthrodesis for a planovalgus foot deformity in cerebral palsy. This paper reviews our results of extraarticular subtalar arthrodesis using a cannulated screw and cancellous bone graft. METHODS: Fifty planovalgus feet in 30 patients with spastic diplegia were included. The mean age at the time of surgery was 9 years, and the mean follow-up period was 3 years. The radiographic, gait, and dynamic foot pressure changes after surgery were investigated. RESULTS: All patients showed union and no recurrence of the deformity. Correction of the abduction of the forefoot, subluxation of the talonavicular joint, and the hindfoot valgus was confirmed radiographically. However, the calcaneal pitch was not improved significantly after surgery. Peak dorsiflexion of the ankle during the stance phase was increased after surgery, and the peak plantarflexion at push off was decreased. The peak ankle plantar flexion moment and power were also decreased. Postoperative elevation of the medial longitudinal arch was expressed as a decreased relative vertical impulse of the medial midfoot and an increased relative vertical impulse (RVI) of the lateral midfoot. However, the lower than normal RVI of the 1st and 2nd metatarsal head after surgery suggested uncorrected forefoot supination. The anteroposterior and lateral paths of the center of pressure were improved postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Our experience suggests that the index operation reliably corrects the hindfoot valgus in patients with spastic diplegia. Although the operation corrects the plantar flexion of the talus, it does not necessarily correct the plantarflexed calcaneus and forefoot supination. However, these findings are short-term and longer term observations will be needed.
Adolescent ; Arthrodesis/*methods ; Bone Screws ; Bone Transplantation ; Cerebral Palsy/*complications ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Flatfoot/etiology/radiography/*surgery ; Foot/radiography ; Foot Deformities, Acquired/etiology/*surgery ; Humans ; Leg ; Male ; Muscle Spasticity/complications ; Muscle, Skeletal/surgery ; Postoperative Complications ; Subtalar Joint/radiography/surgery ; Walking/physiology