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Subtalar Joint Arthrodesis

^* Division of Foot and Ankle Surgery, Western Pennsylvania Hospital, Pittsburgh.

Corresponding author: Alan R. Catanzariti, DPM, Division of Foot and Ankle Surgery, Western Pennsylvania Hospital, 4800 Friendship Ave, North Tower, First Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15224.

Abstract

Forty patients (12 men and 28 women) treated with isolated subtalar joint arthrodesis were retrospectively reviewed. The average patient age was 50 years (range, 21–76 years). Preoperative diagnoses included posterior tibial tendon dysfunction, post-traumatic arthritis, nontraumatic arthritis, and subtalar joint middle facet coalition. The average follow-up was 15 months (range, 12–74 months). Subjective postoperative questionnaire results were classified as satisfied (n = 32), satisfied but with reservations (n = 4), or dissatisfied (n = 4). Eighty-three percent of the patients (n = 33) stated that they would undergo the procedure again. Minor complications (those that resolved with nonoperative treatment) occurred in 55% of the patients. However, the major complication rate was only 12.5%. This study showed no statistical correlation between the preoperative diagnosis and the postoperative outcome. Our results also suggested that the prevalence of complications is slightly higher than in previous reports. Isolated subtalar joint arthrodesis is an effective treatment for pain and deformity of the rearfoot. (J Am Podiatr Med Assoc 95(1): 34–41, 2005)