Gait analysis after talonavicular joint fusion: 2 case reports

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic surgery
• Biomechanics
• Gait analysis

Background:

• Talonavicular joint fusion is a surgical procedure to treat hindfoot deformities.
• Understanding its impact on foot biomechanics is crucial for patient outcomes.

Observation:

• This study analyzed hindfoot motion and plantar pressure in patients undergoing talonavicular joint fusion.
• Three-dimensional electromagnetic motion analysis was employed to capture hindfoot movement.

Findings:

• Frontal-plane hindfoot motion was substantially reduced during the stance phase of walking post-surgery.
• A decrease in the resting standing frontal-plane hindfoot angle was observed.
• Plantar pressure under the medial longitudinal arch was also reduced after the fusion procedure.

Implications:

• These findings suggest talonavicular joint fusion alters hindfoot biomechanics, potentially affecting gait and load distribution.
• Further research is needed to correlate these biomechanical changes with long-term clinical outcomes and patient function.