Primary subtalar arthrodesis for the treatment of comminuted intra-articular calcaneal fractures

We report the short- and mid-term results in six patients (seven feet) affected by markedly comminuted intra-articular calcaneal fractures (Sanders type IV), treated by primary subtalar arthrodesis. The average age at surgery was 40 years. In all patients, arthrodesis of the subtalar joint was performed using a limited lateral approach to the calcaneus; it was stabilised with two or three cannulated screws. No patient had a preliminary reduction and internal fixation of the fracture. The time from injury to surgery averaged 20 days because all of the patients had associated visceral and/or other skeletal injuries. All of the patients were followed up clinically and radiographically 2 times, at an average of 12 months and 53 months after surgery. At the short-term follow-up, the mean AOFAS score was 70 points; the X-rays showed a complete fusion of the subtalar joint in all seven feet, without any sign of osteoarthritis of the calcaneo-cuboid and the talo-navicular joints. In all cases, an altered shape of the calcaneus was present. At the mid-term follow-up, the mean AOFAS score increased to 85 points; in one patient, radiographic signs of osteoarthritis of the calcaneo-cuboid and the talo-navicular joints were present and, in another patient, only talo-navicular joint was present, although both patients were free from pain. The difference between the two AOFAS scores was statistically significant. We believe that primary subtalar arthrodesis performed for markedly comminuted Sanders type IV calcaneal fractures yielded good mid-term results, and it is especially indicated when surgical treatment is delayed for whatever reason. A preliminary open reduction and internal fixation to restore the normal height of the calcaneus before performing the subtalar arthrodesis, as suggested by several authors, does not seem indispensable to obtain good clinical results.     

跟骨丘部重建距下关节融合治疗跟骨骨折严重畸形愈合

目的介绍自体植骨丘部重建距下关节融台术治疗严重跟骨骨折畸形愈台的方法，探讨手术适应证及优、缺点。方法1998年11月～2002年8月．对17例21足跟骨骨折严重畸形愈台患者采用自体植骨丘部重建距下关节融台的方法进行治疗．男13例17足．女4例4足；年龄25～45岁，平均35.4岁；单侧跟骨骨折13侧13足，双侧4例8足．选择跟骨外侧改良“L”形切口行自体植骨丘部重建距下关节融合术，其中15例17足取髂骨植骨，1例2足分别取髂骨植骨和跟骨外膨的外侧壁植骨．1例2足取跟骨外膨的外侧壁植骨。所有跟骨外嘭的外删壁均做切除．结果15例18足获得随访。随访时间9～22个月，平均14．5个月。按Maryland方法评价术后功能：优7足，良9足，可2足；优良率为88．9%，X线片示Bohler角、Gissane角、距骨倾斜角、跟骨宽度及丘部高度基本恢复正常，结论自体植骨丘部重建距下关节融台术是治疗严重跟骨骨折畸形愈合的一种有技方法。可明显矫正跟骨畸形．恢复后足外形及功能。     

Outcome of subtalar arthrodesis after calcaneal fracture

Between 1983 and 1995, we used subtalar arthrodesis to treat 16 consecutive patients for continued pain after an intra-articular calcaneal fracture. Average time to union was 3 months (2 to 4 months). Complications were minor in 4 patients, and major in 4 others. Length of follow-up in 14 patients was 55 months (range, 12 to 112 months). Hindfoot scores (clinical rating system of the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society) improved from 38 (range, 28 to 62) to 67 (range, 39 to 94). Results of medical outcome surveys indicate that patients had low scores in areas related to physical conditioning, physical role functioning, and bodily pain. We conclude that the majority of patients can have improvement with surgical reconstruction that addresses a specific problem, but pain relief is usually not complete.     

Factors associated with nonunion of the posttraumatic subtalar arthrodesis after displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures

BackgroundThis study investigated the incidence of and risk factors for nonunion in patients with posttraumatic subtalar arthrodesis (SA).MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed 165 posttraumatic SA cases. Nonunion was diagnosed at 6 months after surgery based on the findings of clinical evaluations, plain radiographs, and CT scans. Patient-specific factors and surgeon-specific factors were evaluated as potential risk factors.ResultsThe overall nonunion rate was 13.3 % (22 of 165 cases). In the final multivariate logistic regression analysis, smoking (odds ratio [OR] = 3.64; 95 % confidence interval [CI] = 1.23–10.75), parallel screw configuration (OR = 5.70; 95 % CI = 1.62–20.06), and freeze dried iliac crest (OR = 9.16; 95 % CI = 2.28–36.79) were demonstrated as risk factors for nonunion of posttraumatic SA.ConclusionPatients with a history of smoking, parallel screw configuration fixation, and those who received freeze dried iliac crest as an interpositional graft, had a significantly higher rate of nonunion.     

Primary subtalar joint arthrodesis with internal and external fixation for the repair of a diabetic comminuted calcaneal fracture

Comminuted, intra-articular calcaneal fractures can cause severe lower extremity impairment and have devastating effects on a patient's well being. Diabetes is a multisystem process that may cause neuropathy and loss of protective sensation further complicating the prognosis. Not all calcaneal fractures are created equal and when considering the patient's overall presentation and extent of injury, the combined approach of internal and external fixation for fracture reduction may be beneficial for restoration of anatomic alignment and function.     

Subtalar arthrodesis for complications of intra-articular calcaneal fractures

Eighty six subtalar arthrodeses performed between 1985 and 1996 for complications associated with intra-articular calcaneal fractures were retrospectively evaluated. Patients were divided into three Groups: (I) 59 patients with calcaneal malunions (II) 13 patients with failed open reduction and internal fixation, and (III) eight patients undergoing open reductions and primary fusion for highly comminuted fractures. In each scenario, internal fixation was achieved with cancellous lag screws. Bone graft material consisted of either autogenous iliac crest graft, local graft obtained from the lateral wall exostectomy of the malunion, or freeze-dried cancellous allograft. Fusions in Groups II and III were performed in situ. Fusions in Group I were performed either in situ or utilizing a variety of reconstructive procedures depending upon the type of malunion encountered. Eighty three of the 86 fusion attempts were successful following the initial operations for a union rate of 96%. Fusion rates were similar regardless of the graft material used. Complications included four varus malunions, four cases of osteomyelitis, and two cases of reflex sympathetic dystrophy. A statistically significant shorter hospital stay was found for patients not undergoing iliac crest bone graft procedures. Eighty patients with at least two year follow up achieved a mean American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score of 75.0. Scores were similar for all three groups and for the various types of reconstructive procedures used. No correlation was found between postoperative talar declination angle and the AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score. Worker's compensation patients tended to have a poorer clinical outcome.     

Subtalar versus triple arthrodesis after intra-articular calcaneal fractures

Depending upon initial treatment, between 2 and 30% of patients with a displaced intra-articular calcaneal fracture require a secondary arthrodesis. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of subtalar versus triple arthrodesis on functional outcome. A total of 33 patients with 37 secondary arthrodeses (17 subtalar and 20 triple) with a median follow-up of 116 months were asked to complete questionnaires regarding disease-specific functional outcome (Maryland Foot Score, MFS), quality of life (SF-36) and overall satisfaction with the treatment (Visual Analogue Scale, VAS). Patient groups were comparable considering median age at fracture, initial treatment (conservative or operative), time to arthrodesis, median follow-up, and post-arthrodesis radiographic angles. The MFS score was similar after subtalar versus triple arthrodesis (59 vs. 56 points; P = 0.79). No statistically significant difference was found for the SF-36 (84 vs. 83 points; P = 0.67) and the VAS (5 vs. 6; P = 0.21). Smoking was statistically significantly associated with a non-union (χ² = 6.60, P = 0.017). The current study suggests that there is no significant difference in functional outcome between an in situ subtalar or triple arthrodesis as a salvage technique for symptomatic arthrosis after an intra-articular calcaneal fracture. Smoking is a risk factor for non-union.     

四种手术方式行距下关节融合术治疗陈旧性跟骨骨折的疗效观察

目的 :观察采用4种手术方式行距下关节融合内固定术治疗陈旧性跟骨骨折的临床疗效。方法 :自2014年3月至2017年11月,采用4种手术方式行距下关节融合术治疗陈旧性跟骨骨折25例(26足),年龄23～70(36.7±5.8)岁,病程3～35(9.5±5.1)个月,距下关节原位融合术2例(2足),距下关节撑开植骨融合术6例(7足),跟骨"V"形截骨距下关节融合术6例(6足),跟骨体斜行截骨联合距下关节植骨融合术11例(11足)。观察患者手术并发症情况;比较术前及术后12个月距骨倾斜角、跟骨B觟hler角、Gissane角、跟距高度,术后12个月时采用视觉模拟评分(visual analogue score,VAS)及美国足踝外科协会(American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society,AOFAS)踝与后足评分评估手术疗效。结果:21例(21足)患者获得随访,时间13～34 (20.1±3.7)个月,4例(5足)失访。术后2例手术切口裂开,1例骨折不愈合,其余病例未发生骨折不愈合及内固定松动或断裂等并发症。术前与术后12个月距骨倾斜角[(5.3±2.4)°vs (11.2±4.6)°,t=7.24,P0.05],跟骨B觟hler角[(5.4±2.7)°vs (25.5±5.3)°,t=11.2,P0.05],Gissane角[(89.4±9.6)°vs (122.0±5.2)°,t=8.13,P0.05],跟距高度[(28.5±5.1) mm vs (47.1±3.7) mm,t=6.45,P0.05]比较差异有统计学意义。术后12个月VAS评分1.6±0.7,较术前5.2±1.0明显改善(t=5.12,P0.05);术后12个月AOFAS评分86.2±5.2,较术前52.4±6.4明显提高(t=6.41,P0.05);其中优14足,良4足,可2足,差1足。结论:距下关节原位融合术、距下关节撑开植骨融合术、跟骨"V"形截骨距下关节融合术、跟骨体斜行截骨联合距下关节植骨融合术均为治疗陈旧性跟骨骨折的有效手术方式,具有缓解疼痛、纠正跟骨畸形、改善足部功能等优点,严格掌握各种手术方式的适应证是保证手术疗效的关键。     

Computerised tomographic assessment of the subtalar joint in calcaneal fractures

Thirty-six patients with 39 fresh fractures of the calcaneus were investigated by standard radiography and by computerised tomography. It was found that the size and disposition of the fracture fragments and the degree of involvement of the posterior facet of the subtalar joint were more clearly shown by CT scanning. We recommend this technique for assessment and particularly for pre-operative planning.     

Isolated subtalar arthrodesis

BACKGROUND: The purposes of this retrospective study were to review the results of isolated subtalar arthrodesis in adults and to identify factors influencing the union rate. The hypotheses were that (1) the overall outcome is acceptable but is not as favorable as previously reported, (2) complication rates, especially the nonunion rate, are higher than previously reported, and (3) factors contributing to a less favorable union rate can be identified. METHODS: Between January 1988 and July 1995, 184 consecutive isolated subtalar arthrodeses were performed in 174 adults (115 men and fifty-nine women) whose average age was forty-three years (range, eighteen to seventy-nine years). Eighty patients (46 percent) were smokers. The indications for the procedure included posttraumatic arthritis after a fracture of the calcaneus (109 feet), a fracture of the talus (thirteen feet), or a subtalar dislocation (thirteen feet); primary subtalar arthritis (thirteen feet); failure of a previous subtalar arthrodesis (twenty-eight feet); and residual congenital deformity (eight feet). Rigid internal fixation with one or two screws was used for all feet. Bone graft was used in 145 feet; the types of graft material included cancellous autograft (ninety-four feet), structural autograft (twenty-nine feet), cancellous allograft (seventeen feet), and structural allograft (five feet). Bone graft was not used in the remaining thirty-nine feet. RESULTS: Clinical and radiographic follow-up examinations were performed for 148 (80 percent) of the 184 feet at an average of fifty-one months (range, twenty-four to 130 months) postoperatively. The average ankle-hindfoot score according to the modified scale of the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (maximum possible score, 94 points) improved from 24 points preoperatively to 70 points at follow-up. Thirty feet had clinical evidence of nonunion. The union rate was 84 percent (154 of 184) overall, 86 percent (134 of 156) after primary arthrodesis, and 71 percent (twenty of twenty-eight) after revision arthrodesis. The union rate was 92 percent (ninety-three of 101 feet) for nonsmokers and 73 percent (sixty-one of eighty-three feet) for smokers (p < 0.05). Intraoperative inspection revealed that 42 percent (seventy-eight) of the 184 feet had evidence of more than two millimeters of avascular bone at the subtalar joint; all thirty nonunions occurred in this group (p < 0.05). A nonunion occurred in three of the five feet that had been treated with structural allograft and in two of the six feet in which the subtalar arthrodesis had been performed adjacent to the site of a previous ankle arthrodesis. After elimination of the subgroups of feet in patients who smoked, those that had had a failure of a previous subtalar arthrodesis, those that had been treated with a structural graft, and those that had had the subtalar arthrodesis adjacent to the site of a previous ankle arthrodesis, the union rate improved to 96 percent (seventy-three of seventy-six). Complications other than nonunion included prominent hardware requiring screw removal (thirty-six of 184 feet; 20 percent), lateral impingement (fifteen of 148 feet; 10 percent), symptomatic valgus malalignment (five of 148 feet; 3 percent), symptomatic varus malalignment (four of 148 feet; 3 percent), and infection (five of 184 feet; 3 percent). CONCLUSIONS: To the best of our knowledge, the present study includes the largest reported series of isolated subtalar arthrodeses in adults. Our results suggest that the outcome following isolated subtalar arthrodesis is not as favorable as has been reported in previous studies. The rate of union was significantly diminished by smoking, the presence of more than two millimeters of avascular bone at the arthrodesis site, and the failure of a previous subtalar arthrodesis (p < 0.05 for all). Other factors that probably affect the union rate include the use of structural allograft and performance of the arthrodesis adjac     

Displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures: variables predicting late subtalar fusion

OBJECTIVE: The goal of the current study was to analyze the prospective clinical outcome of patients who failed closed or open treatment of a displaced intra-articular calcaneal fracture. This cohort of patients required a secondary subtalar fusion by distraction bone-block arthrodesis. DESIGN: Review of prospective, randomized trial database. SETTING: Four level I trauma centers. PATIENTS: Between April 1, 1991 and December 31, 1997, 424 patients with 471 displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures were involved in a large, multicenter, randomized trial. Forty-four patients who required subtalar fusion following initial treatment of a displaced intra-articular calcaneal fracture were compared to the population of patients who did not require subtalar fusion. The variables compared between the two groups included B?hler angles, two computed tomography classification systems, and clinical scores including SF-36, visual analogue score, and oral analogue score. INTERVENTION: Subtalar distraction bone-block arthrodesis with tricortical bone graft was used in all 45 feet. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: The following were examined: x-ray fracture classification, specifically B?hler angles and Essex-Lopresti classification; computed tomography classification, specifically Sanders and Crosby; clinical scores, specifically validated visual analogue score, general health survey scores, oral analogue score, and other factors (i.e., patient demographics including age, sex, profession, smoking history, and Worker's Compensation Board involvement. RESULTS: Initial treatment of the 44 patients in our study was nonoperative in 37 (84%) patients and operative (open reduction and internal fixation) in 7 (16%) (1 patient had bilateral heel fractures). Patients requiring fusion differed demographically from those patients not requiring fusion. Mean age was 39 years in both the fusion and nonfusion group. The fusion group had 97% males, whereas the nonfusion group had 89% males. Sixty-four percent of the fusion patients were Worker's Compensation Board claims, whereas 35% of the nonfusion group were Worker's Compensation Board claims. Of those that required fusion, 77% were heavy laborers. On average, the fusion group had a B?hler angle 15 degrees less than the nonfusion group. Forty-six percent of the fusion patients were Sanders-type IV initial fractures. Logistic regression analysis revealed that the primary predictors of requiring fusion were Worker's Compensation Board status (odds ratio = 3.03, 95% confidence interval = 1.41-6.57), Sanders-type IV (odds ratio = 5.48, 95% confidence interval = 1.57-19.18), B?hler angle <0 degrees (odds ratio = 10.64-95% confidence interval = 1.33-85.17), and nonoperative initial treatment (odds ratio = 5.86-95% confidence interval = 2.33-14.67). CONCLUSION: These data suggest that the amount of initial injury involved with the calcaneal fracture is the primary prognostic determinant of long-term patient outcome. B?hler angle on presentation of <0 degrees was 10 times more likely to require a secondary subtalar fusion than a B?hler angle on presentation of >15 degrees. Sanders-type IV calcaneal fractures were 5.5 times more likely to be fused than a simple Sanders type II fracture. Worker's Compensation Board patients were three times more likely to be fused than non-Worker's Compensation Board patients. Nonoperative care was six times more likely to lead to a late fusion as compared to open reduction and internal fixation treatment. Late fusion provided relief from pain and improved function as evidenced by an improvement in visual analogue score postsurgery. This study demonstrates that there is a distinct patient group with a displaced intra-articular calcaneal fracture who are at high risk of subtalar fusion. These include male Worker's Compensation Board patients who participate in heavy labor work with a fracture pattern with B?hler angle less than 0 degrees. If their initial treatment was nonoperative, the likelihood of requiring late subtalar fusion was significantly increased. Initial open reductional open reduction and internal fixation of patients with displaced intra-articular calcaneal fracture minimized the likelihood that subtalar fusion would be required.     

Block distraction arthrodesis for the treatment of failed calcaneal fractures

We had excellent results with our procedure and had only one unsatisfied patient. This patient's fusion site had an undersized graft; therefore, he had continued pain. Because he had no further intra-articular pain, he did not feel the need for further surgery. Block distraction arthrodesis is far more difficult to perform than subtalar arthrodesis without the use of bone graft. It is critical to allow more intraoperative time during the first two or three cases than required for regular arthrodesis of the subtalar joint. It also is essential to place the heel in a rectus position at the time of arthrodesis. With proper preoperative examination and planning, meticulous intraoperative treatment, and guarded postoperative care, block distraction arthrodesis is an excellent procedure for the treatment of poorly-treated or neglected calcaneal fractures.     

Intra-articular neuropathic fracture of the calcaneal body treated by open reduction and subtalar arthrodesis.

A novel pattern of neuropathic intra-articular calcaneal fracture in a diabetic patient is described. This fracture combined proximal retraction of the tuberosity and body along with hindfoot collapse and plantar ulceration. Following control of the acute Charcot process with total contact casting, surgical reduction and subtalar arthrodesis was performed to stabilize the hindfoot and decrease the risk of recurrent ulceration. After healing, the patient successfully resumed ambulation and presently uses extra-depth shoes for daily activities. Despite the risks of surgical treatment, this difficult fracture may be treated operatively to maintain plantigrade alignment and offer limb salvage for the neuropathic patient.