Talonavicular arthrodesis for correction of posterior tibial tendon dysfunction

The awareness of PTTD has increased because of the efforts of McGlamry and Mueller. The treatment for PTTD depends on the patient's age and weight, systemic factors, length of time of the disease course, and the extent of foot collapse. The period of time from injury to diagnosis often is delayed because of the gradual progression of the condition. The patient that presents with an acute injury often responds well to a soft-tissue procedure. The delay in treatment usually necessitates the performance of an osseous procedure to correct the deformity and align the foot. The talonavicular arthrodesis is indicated in the flexible flatfoot deformity when degenerative changes of the subtalar joint are not present. The talonavicular arthrodesis is effective for correcting the flexible flatfoot deformity because it reduces the forefoot abduction, increases the height of the arch, stabilizes the medial column, and prevents excessive subtalar joint pronation. The primary complications associated with the talonavicular arthrodesis are nonunions and development of arthritis in adjacent joints. The incidence of nonunion can be directly attributed to poor surgical technique and early weight bearing during the postoperative period. The degenerative changes that occur in adjacent joints are often present preoperatively because of the long-standing valgus deformity. The procedure effectively maintains the correction of the flatfoot over a long period of time, and allows the patient to return to a pain-free lifestyle. The talonavicular arthrodesis is the procedure of choice in the flexible flatfoot deformity because the procedure corrects the malalignment of the subtalar and midtarsal joints and prevents excessive subtalar joint pronation.