Comparison of open isolated subtalar arthrodesis with autogenous bone graft versus outpatient arthroscopic subtalar arthrodesis using injectable bone morphogenic protein-enhanced graft

Isolated subtalar joint arthrodesis is an established salvage procedure that can be performed in various ways for varying diagnoses. The purpose of this article is to report a new arthroscopic subtalar arthrodesis technique that has been developed. The results of this method versus an open technique were compared. Length of hospital stay, tourniquet time, morbidity, and fusion rate were studied in 17 fusion patients between 1990 and 1997. Twelve patients had open arthrodesis with bone graft and 5 patients had arthroscopic arthrodesis with supplemental, injectable, osteoinductive enhanced-graft gel. The length of stay decreased 1.7 days with the arthroscopic procedure. Tourniquet time was not significantly different. One open procedure required refusion, whereas none did in the arthroscopic group. One patient in each group required AO screw removal. In selected patients with subtalar arthrosis without significant hindfoot deformity, arthroscopic arthrodesis can be an effective. It is too early to determine if there are specific advantages in this procedure compared with a conventional open arthrodesis.