Identifying Risk Factors for 30-Day Readmissions After Triple Arthrodesis Surgery

Rigid flatfoot deformity is a debilitating condition that can be managed by triple arthrodesis surgery. Triple arthrodesis has the potential to restore health-related quality of life, but it is also associated with several complications. Few studies have examined the 30-day readmission rates after triple arthrodesis. The objective of this study was to investigate risk factors for 30-day all-cause readmissions after triple arthrodesis. The nationwide readmission database was queried from 2013. By using International Classification of Disease, Ninth Revision, procedure codes, all triple arthrodesis procedures were identified. Demographic factors, comorbidities, insurance status, and hospital characteristics were statistically compared between patients who experienced a 30-day readmission and those who did not. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify independent risk factors for 30-day readmission. Overall, 1916 triple arthrodesis cases were identified. The overall 30-day readmission rate after triple arthrodesis was 4.6%. Univariate analysis revealed a statistically higher proportion of patients with electrolyte abnormalities (13.8% vs 4.6%; p < .01) in the patients who were readmitted within 30 days compared with those who were not. Multivariable analysis demonstrated Medicaid insurance, relative to private insurance, as the only statistically significant predictor of 30-day readmission with an odds ratio of 4.43 (p < .05). These results suggest that patients of lower socioeconomic status may be at a greater risk for development of a short-term readmission after triple arthrodesis surgery. These findings are important for surgeon and patient communication, counseling, and postoperative care when choosing to pursue triple arthrodesis surgery.     

Management of the rigid arthritic flatfoot in adults: triple arthrodesis

The traditional surgical treatment for adults with a rigid, arthritic flatfoot is a dual-incision triple arthrodesis. Over time, this procedure has proved to be reliable and reproducible in obtaining successful deformity correction through fusion and good clinical results. However, the traditional dual-incision triple arthrodesis is not without shortcomings. Early complications include lateral wound problems, malunion, and nonunion. Long-term follow-up of patients after a triple arthrodesis has shown that many develop adjacent joint arthritis at the ankle or midfoot. This particular problem should be considered an expected consequence, rather than a failure of the procedure. Although the indications for and surgical techniques used in triple arthrodesis have evolved and improved with time (predictably improving results in the intermediate term), the triple arthrodesis should be regarded as a salvage procedure. Certain measures can be taken by the surgeon to avoid some problems. If patients are at risk for lateral wound complications, the arthrodesis could be performed through a single medial incision. However, this can make some aspects of the CC fusion more difficult. Implants would have to be inserted percutaneously, which prevents the surgeon from using either staples or plates. If a patient were to need a lateral column lengthening through a CC distraction fusion, this would not be possible medially. If either the ST or CC joints have minimal degenerative changes, they could be spared through a double or modified double arthrodesis, respectively. Although these procedures that deviate from the traditional triple arthrodesis offer promise, further study is required to better define their role in treatment of the rigid, arthritic AAFD. Triple arthrodesis is, by no means, a simple surgery. It requires preoperative planning, meticulous preparation of bony surfaces, cognizance of hindfoot positioning, and rigidity of fixation. The procedure also requires enough experience on the part of the operating surgeon to anticipate postoperative problems and provide modifications in traditional technique for certain patients.     

Hindfoot arthrodesis for the adult acquired flat foot

This article reviews hindfoot arthrodesis for the adult acquired flat foot. Discussion of triple arthrodesis, triple arthrodesis with the addition of a lateral column lengthening procedure, triple arthrodesis with the addition of a plantar flexion first metatarsoncuneiform arthrodesis, and an isolated subtalar arthrodesis are discussed. The indications, surgical techniques, outcome studies, and complications are addressed.     

Double Versus Triple Arthrodesis Fusion Rates: A Systematic Review

Hindfoot arthrodesis is often required for end-staged deformities, such as posterior tibial tendon dysfunction, osteoarthritis, or rheumatoid arthritis. Although the need for hindfoot arthrodesis is generally accepted in severe deformities, there is a debate whether a double or triple arthrodesis should be performed. The aim of our systematic review is to review the fusion rates and mean time to fusion in double and triple arthrodesis. A total of 184 articles were identified using the keyword search through the database of articles published from 2005 to 2017. After review by 3 physicians, a total of 13 articles met the eligibility criteria. The reason for double or triple arthrodesis within the studies were posterior tibial tendon dysfunction, tarsal coalition, degenerative joint disease, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, Charcot Marie Tooth, Multiple Sclerosis, Polio, neuromuscular disorder, cerebral palsy, acrodystrophic neuropathy, clubfoot, post-traumatic, and seronegative arthropathy (spondyloarthritis). Within these 13 studies, there were a total of 343 (6-95) subjects extremities operated on. The overall fusion rate for double arthrodesis was 91.75% (289/315) compared to 92.86% (26/28) triple arthrodesis fusion rate, p value .8370. The mean time to fusion for double arthrodesis was 17.96 ± 7.96 weeks compared to 16.70 ± 8.18 weeks for triple arthrodesis, p value = .8133. There are risks associated with triple arthrodesis including increased surgical times, lateral wound complications, residual deformity, surgical costs and peri-articular arthritis. Given the benefits of double arthrodesis over triple arthrodesis and the nearly equivalent fusion rates and time to fusion, double arthrodesis is an effective alternative to triple arthrodesis. The authors of this systematic review recommend double arthrodesis as the hindfoot fusion procedure of choice.     

Failure of triple arthrodesis

In the longest-term follow-up study on triple arthrodesis published to date, Saltzman et al found at 44 years post-fusion, 95% of surviving patients were satisfied with their outcomes despite deteriorating function and some increase in pain with time [13]. All of the cases in this review were performed through a single anterolateral surgical approach and without internal fixation. In symptomatic severe or arthritic pes planovalgus or cavovarus deformity, few operative alternatives to triple arthrodesis are available. Attempts at subtalar resurfacing prostheses led to poor results and subsequent abandonment [46,47], whereas tendon transfer procedures and osteotomy realignments are not always possible or feasible in every patient. Although the indications for and surgical techniques used in triple arthrodesis have evolved and improved with time (predictably improving results in the intermediate term), triple arthrodesis remains a salvage procedure. Thus, deteriorating results with time may be an expected consequence and should not necessarily represent a failure of the technique. The surgical procedure is technically challenging and should be reserved for those surgeons trained and comfortable with all aspects of the surgery. Patient selection is vital, with most triple arthrodeses reserved for older patients. The two-incision approach allows better visualization, particularly of the talonavicular articulation, allowing for adequate resection of cartilage and alignment of the joints. Avoidance of excessive bony resection or wedge resection and the use of rigid internal fixation has increased the reliability of the procedure and diminished the pseudarthrosis rate and the rate of recurrence of the deformity. Failure to perform the procedure in an optimal fashion, however, can lead to a devastating failure with severe pain and dysfunction for the patient.     

Pediatric issues with cavovarus foot deformities

Cavovarus foot deformity in children has numerous etiologies with a general pathophysiologic mechanism of muscle imbalance. It is of great importance in the evaluation of a child with a cavovarus foot to determine the underlying cause of the deformity, as the most common origin is a progressive neurologic condition that may be complicated by other orthopedic problems. Treatment options typically are surgical, with limited indications for nonsurgical modalities, and must consider the age of the patient, the nature of the neurologic disease, and the severity of the deformity. Current surgical procedures can be divided into soft tissue procedures to rebalance the muscle forces, osteotomies, and triple arthrodesis. Triple arthrodesis is considered a salvage procedure reserved for the older child with severe, rigid deformity who has failed other surgical treatments.     

Wiederherstellung der Gehfähigkeit durch beidseitige Korrekturtriplearthrodese bei hochgradigem Pes equinovarus und Tetraspastik

A tendon transfer is the method of choice in easily reducible pes equinovarus. However, in long-time persisting deformities with spasms, a plantigrade position can not be maintained with these procedures. Therefore, we perform an additional bilateral triple arthrodesis in a patients with such bilateral deformities. A 55-year-old woman developed, within the scope of several surgical procedures on the cervical spine, marked bilateral pes equinovarus and flexion contractures of the knees. The patient's ambulation was limited to a wheelchair for 3 years. Then, in an interval of 1 year, we performed an unilateral soft tissue release, z-tenotomy of the Achilles tendon, triple arthrodesis with correction of the deformity, and posterior tibial tenden transfer. At follow-up 5 years after the second procedure, the 61-year-old patient was able to walk alone with two walking sticks. In the case described, the correction of a marked pes equinovarus with spasms, which was achieved by an extensive soft tissue release, could be stabilized through a triple arthrodesis in such way that the plantigrade position of the foot could be controlled through a posterior tibial tendon transfer.     

Orthopedic management in autosomal recessive spastic ataxia of Charlevoix-Saguenay.

OBJECTIVE: To review the orthopedic management of choice in patients having autosomal recessive spastic ataxia of Charlevoix-Saguenay (ARSACS). DESIGN: A retrospective study from April 1978 to April 1997. SETTING: Centre hospitalier de la Sagamie, Chicoutimi, Que. PATIENTS: A review of the records of patients having ARSACS who were identified in the registry of the Neuromuscular Diseases Clinic at the Centre hospitalier de la Sagamie revealed 26 patients who received surgical orthopedic treatment. Initially, the patients were offered conservative treatment, which consisted of physiotherapy sessions, the wearing of an ankle-foot orthosis or serial casting. When this was unsuccessful, foot surgery was considered. RESULTS: During the study period, 49 orthopedic procedures were done, including 24 triple arthrodeses; of these, 9 were combined with lengthening of the Achilles tendon. Most triple arthrodeses were done in patients between the ages of 30 and 49 years. The surgical options evolved during the study from Lambrinudi arthrodesis through arthrodesis of the ankle to triple arthrodesis with lengthening of the Achilles tendon. CONCLUSIONS: As a complement to conservative treatment, surgery has a place in the care of patients with ARSACS. Clinically, the most effective surgical procedures are triple arthrodesis with percutaneous lengthening of the Achilles tendon and adductor and psoas tenotomies combined with neurectomy of the obturator nerve for perineal hygiene.     

Growth rates in skeletally immature feet after triple arthrodesis

Many authors delay triple arthrodesis in skeletally immature patients secondary to the belief that such a surgery would cause excessive shortening in a foot that is often already short. In the current study, foot growth rates were compared between a group of skeletally immature patients (<11 years) and a group of more skeletally mature patients (>11 years) after triple arthrodesis. The average age at surgery in the skeletally immature group was 9.8 years, with a mean follow-up of 3.4 years, and the average age at surgery in the more skeletally mature group was 13.6 years, with a mean follow-up of 2.5 years. No statistically significant differences in length or height growth rates after triple arthrodesis were found between the two groups. The incidence of pseudoarthrosis and residual deformity in both groups was comparable with other studies in the literature. This study does not support the belief that triple arthrodesis to correct hindfoot deformity, instability, or relief of pain should be restricted to the older child.     

Reconstructive foot surgery following complex trauma of the foot

Compound post-traumatic foot deformity may follow indirect, direct, or combined trauma. This is demonstrated by a number of case reports. Particularly during adolescence, primary injuries to the soft tissue, with neurovascular injury or compartment syndrome, and post-traumatic skin contractures can cause severe growth deformity at the site of the injury and distal to it. Compression screw arthrodesis, using the 6.5-mm cancellous screw with the triple arthrodesis and the 3.5-mm cortical screw with the Lisfranc arthrodesis, has particular significance. It is stable, it allows functional treatment later, and bone union takes place rapidly. The most important surgical principles in post-traumatic foot surgery are: precise reconstruction of the foot axes, the medial and lateral foot length, and the longitudinal and transverse arches, i.e., restitution of the normal foot anatomy.     

Calcaneocuboid arthrodesis

The calcaneocuboid joint is stable, although multiple conditions might affect the joint, including arthritis, fracture, subluxation, and dislocation. Calcaneocuboid arthrodesis is more commonly performed as an adjunct procedure with other rearfoot procedures such as triple arthrodesis and is less used as isolated fusion. This article reviews the main conditions of the lateral column and calcaneocuboid joint in particular. The surgical technique for isolated calcaneocuboid arthrodesis is discussed.     

The incidence of aseptic necrosis of the talus following traumatic injuries: a review of the literature.

Fracture of the talus is uncommon, and although it may never be encountered, the knowledge of such occurrences, their treatment, and sequelae should be known by every podiatrist. Aseptic necrosis is a complication that can occur as a result of any trauma to the talus. This might be due to surgical manipulation as in the case of the triple arthrodesis or subtalar arthrodesis, or outside injury due to crushing or rotational injuries.     

Medial flexor digitorum longus tendon augmentation and lateral foot column lengthening or reorienting triple arthrodesis as surgical therapy of posterior tibial tendon dysfunction

QUESTION: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the alignment and functional outcome after surgical augmentation of the tibialis posterior by tendon transfer and lateral column lengthening by osteotomy of the os calcis, calcaneo-cuboidal arthrodesis or reorientating triple arthrodesis. METHODS: From 1991 to 1999 41 patients with the clinical and radiological diagnosis of dysfunction of the tibialis posterior tendon underwent surgical exploration and repair. These 41 patients (22 women, 19 men) had an average age of 44.3 years (range, 19-69 years) and had been symptomatic for an average of 2.3 years (range, 6 months to 6 years). All patients had the symptoms of a painful flatfoot deformity without dynamic support along the medioplantar aspect. Flexor digitorum longus (FDL) tendon transfer as reconstruction of the tibialis posterior tendon was performed in the cases without major deformity (n = 77). Patients underwent FDL transfer and lengthening osteotomy (n = 15) of the os calcis or calcaneocuboidal (c-c) arthrodesis (n = 12) if passive correction of the foot deformity was still possible and reorientating triple arthrodesis (n = 7) when a fixed flatfoot deformity had developed. AOFAS score and radiological examination were used preoperatively and in the follow-up. RESULTS: The AOFAS score improved for stage 1 patients after a mean follow-up of 43 months with FDL transfer from a preoperative mean of 54 to 84 points, for stage II patients with FDL transfer and lengthening osteotomy (mean follow-up 36 m) from 47 to 92 points, with c-c arthrodesis (follow-up 66 m) from 48 to 86 points, and for stage III patients with triple arthrodesis from 42 to 72 points. In two patients, the deformity failed to improve (stage I) necessitating a revision surgery with a calceneo-cuboidal lengthening arthrodesis for relapsing deformity. CONCLUSION: In order to correct deformity and provide substantial relief of foot pain and dysfunction, we recommend the transfer of the FDL tendon in flexible flat foot deformity together with lengthening osteotomy. This treatment will provide optimal restoration of a dynamic support along the medioplantar aspect of the foot and is functionally superior to a c-c arthrodesis. Reorientating triple arthrodesis showed fair functional results and is recommended--for fixed flatfoot deformity.     

Arthroscopic triple arthrodesis in patients with Müller Weiss disease

BackgroundMüller Weiss disease is a rare disease characterized by collapse of the lateral part of the navicular, outwards protrusion of the talar head and peri-navicular osteoarthrosis. We review the result of six patients treated by arthroscopic triple arthrodesis.MethodsSince 1998, arthroscopic triple arthrodesis was performed in six feet with Müller Weiss disease. The arthroscopic findings were analyzed. The feet were graded by the pre-operative X-rays according to Mareira classification. The consolidation of the triple arthrodesis was assessed by the post-operative X-rays of the operated feet. The clinical outcome was assessed by the modified AOFAS ankle–hindfoot scale.ResultsAll the operated feet fused solidly. The average time for solid fusion was 21 weeks (16–22 weeks). The overall American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle–hindfoot score was 81.5.ConclusionsArthroscopic triple arthrodesis is an alternative surgical treatment in management of Müller Weiss disease resisted to conservative treatment.Level of evidenceLevel 4 therapeutic study.     

Rheumatoid Arthritis of the Foot and Ankle

Rheumatoid arthritis of the foot and ankle can be a debilitating problem, particularly for patients who have undergone successful hip or knee arthroplasty. Optimal medical management, use of orthotic devices, and surgical intervention are essential components of patient care. Forefoot involvement with hallux valgus and lesser metatarsophalangeal joint subluxation and dislocation are the most common findings. Reconstruction usually requires lesser metatarsophalangeal joint excisional arthroplasty and first metatarsophalangeal joint arthrodesis. Midfoot tarsometatarsal and intertarsal involvement is treated with orthotic devices and intertarsal fusion for advanced arthropathy. Hindfoot involvement frequently leads to pes planovalgus deformity, which may require isolated talonavicular arthrodesis if treated early or triple arthrodesis for advanced destruction. Ankle involvement is less frequent; when it is unresponsive to conservative measures, ankle symptoms may be improved by arthrodesis. Although great advances have been made in medical and surgical management of rheumatoid arthritis, the disease remains a serious problem. Through prudent use of medical management, orthotic devices, and other conservative measures as well as surgical intervention, long-term function can be enhanced greatly.     

Deltoid ligament strain after correction of acquired flatfoot deformity by triple arthrodesis

Deltoid insufficiency represents a difficult surgical challenge. We have witnessed patients who have developed a valgus tibiotalar deformity following a properly positioned triple arthrodesis. To investigate whether the triple arthrodesis itself, by creating a rigid triple joint complex below the ankle, leads to increased strain of the deltoid complex, a flatfoot model was created in 8 fresh-frozen below-knee amputation specimens. Each specimen was loaded in three gait cycle (GC) positions: Heel strike (0% GC), midstance (10% GC), and heel rise (40% GC). The three components of the ground reaction force (GRF) and the tendon forces consistent with those respective positions were applied. To simulate a posterior tibial tendon insufficient state the posterior tibial tendon was not loaded. Strain at the tibiocalcaneal fibers of the superficial deltoid ligament complex was determined at each of the three foot positions. A triple arthrodesis was performed and the deltoid strains were again recorded for each position. A significant increase in the strain of the deltoid ligament was observed for only the heel rise position (p=0.007) in our cadaver model following triple arthrodesis. The results favor medializing the calcaneus following arthrodesis to protect the deltoid complex.     

Partial or non-union after triple arthrodesis in children: does it really matter?

Purpose

Triple arthrodesis is a commonly performed salvage procedure to correct hindfoot deformity. Non-union is considered an undesirable radiographic outcome; however, the clinical ramifications of this are not as well defined. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of partial or complete radiographic non-union after triple arthrodesis in children and characterize the clinical consequences.

Methods

An IRB-approved retrospective review of triple arthrodesis surgeries in patients less than 16 years of age performed by a single surgeon (DSW) identified 159 cases meeting the inclusion criteria. Plain radiographs were reviewed for bony fusion (defined as over 80 % radiographic bony union of the subtalar, calcaneocuboid, and talonavicular bones) and charts for clinical outcomes (pain, return to activity, and subsequent hindfoot surgeries). Statistics were used to compare the fused and unfused cases, with p < 0.05 considered to be significant.

Results

Of the 159 cases included in the study, 9 % did not achieve at least 80 % plain film radiographic union. The fused and unfused groups had similar clinical outcomes. Only one patient required surgery for sequelae of symptoms arising from a pseudoarthrosis related to the triple arthrodesis. The fused and unfused groups were similar in terms of gender and pin removal time, but differed significantly in surgical age and underlying diagnosis.

Conclusions

This is one of the largest case series of pediatric triple arthrodesis surgery presented in the literature. This study demonstrated that good clinical outcomes can be achieved despite the lack of radiographic union after triple arthrodesis surgery in children.

Level of evidence

IV.

     

Talonavicular arthrodesis or triple arthrodesis: peak pressure in the adjacent joints measured in 8 cadaver specimens

Background Talonavicular arthrodesis is a differential indication for triple arthrodesis. Differences regarding intraarticular pressure loads on the adjacent joints have not been investigated to date, but they are of clinical relevance when considering long-term joint degeneration.

Methods We used a dynamic foot model to measure intraarticular peak pressures with electronic sensors in 8 anatomical specimens in different areas of the ankle joint and in the naviculocuneiform joint. Force was applied to extrinsic tendons via cables attached to computer- regulated hydraulic cylinders. A ground reaction force was simulated in a tilting angle- and force-controlled translation stage.

Results We measured significantly higher peak pressures in the ankle joint after triple arthrodesis (5.7 Mpa) than after talonavicular arthrodesis (5.2 Mpa), with differences especially in the anterior section (5.2 Mpa as compared to 4.6 Mpa). Centrally, the peak pressure was similar, at 4.6 MPa and 4.5 Mpa, respectively. In the posterior area, the peak pressure after triple arthrodesis was lower (4.1 MPa as opposed to 4.4 Mpa). After triple arthrodeses, we measured higher values laterally/medially in the ankle joint (5.5 MPa/4.6 Mpa) than after talonavicular arthrodesis (5.1 MPa/4.4 Mpa). In the naviculocuneiform joint, we again saw higher peak pressures after triple arthrodesis than after talonavicular arthrodesis.

Interpretation Our findings from this cadaver study indicate a lower and more evenly distributed peak pressure load in the ankle joint after talonavicular arthrodesis than after triple arthrodesis; thus, mechanically, a selective arthrodesis appears to be more favorable. In contrast, triple arthrodesis leads to an increase in peak pressure in the ankle joint, which may in turn lead to joint degeneration.     

Treatment of late recurring idiopathic clubfoot deformity in adults

Late recurrence of idiopathic clubfoot deformity in adults after prior successful surgery in childhood remains a rarity and only case reports exist. No study has yet clarified the results of triple arthrodesis in such cases. Complete clinical and radiological review of 7 patients (7 feet) after a follow-up time of 43 months following triple arthrodesis was undertaken. The time interval between the last surgical intervention and the triple arthrodesis averaged 27 years. The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score was used as an outcome measure. Average age at time of review was 36 years (range 18-45). All patients were examined clinically and radiologically. The AOFAS-score improved from 43 points preoperatively to 61 points at follow-up (p = 0.004). If adjusted by excluding subtalar motion, the relative score improved by 19% (from 46% to 65%; p = 0.0043). Although not significantly altered (p = 0.1), pain scores remained fair (25 points) but were improved compared with the preoperative evaluation (13 points). Ankle motion was not changed. Although statistically not significant, there was an increase in degree of ankle arthritis in 67% of patients (one patient had ankle fusion) and mid- and forefoot degenerative changes in 57%. Hindfoot alignment remained fair after surgical intervention. Triple arthrodesis is a palliative means to correct recurrent deformity in patients with idiopathic clubfoot. Despite residual symptoms and degenerative changes at the ankle, 86% of all patients were satisfied with the postoperative result.     

Triple arthrodesis. A critical long-term review

The results of triple arthrodesis performed in 80 feet and followed for an average of 13 years are reviewed. Although the majority of patients were very pleased, the results of objective assessment were less favourable. There was a high incidence of degenerative joint changes in the ankle and midfoot and also of pseudarthrosis, avascular necrosis of the talus and residual deformity. Pre-operative rigid equinovarus deformity produced the majority of the poor results. It is suggested that bony resection alone might not be the best means of correcting severe equinus.