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Treatment of Ankle Osteoarthritis with Total Ankle Replacement Through a Lateral Transfibular Approach
Published on: January 24, 2018
Factors associated with outcome after subtalar arthrodesis
Jaskarndip Chahal1, David J G Stephen, Beverly Bulmer
1University of Toronto, Department of Surgery, Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, Canada.
Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma
|September 23, 2006
Summary
Subtalar arthrodesis outcomes are affected by patient factors like smoking and diabetes, with bone grafting improving fusion rates. Surgeons can use these findings to set realistic patient expectations for subtalar fusion success.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Foot and Ankle Surgery
- Arthrodesis Outcomes
Background:
- Subtalar arthrodesis is a surgical procedure to fuse the subtalar joint, often performed for osteoarthritis.
- Assessing factors influencing outcomes is crucial for patient counseling and surgical planning.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate radiographic and functional results following subtalar arthrodesis.
- To identify patient-specific factors linked to suboptimal outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study involving 88 patients with osteoarthritis undergoing primary subtalar arthrodesis.
- Radiographic assessment focused on union rates; functional outcomes were measured using validated patient-reported questionnaires.
Main Results:
- Smokers had a significantly higher risk of nonunion (3.8x), especially when older. Diabetic patients were more prone to malunion (18.7x).
- Subtalar bone block distraction arthrodesis achieved higher union rates (95%) compared to in situ arthrodesis without bone graft (65%).
- Patients reported worse functional outcomes than general populations, with the poorest results seen in diabetic individuals.
Conclusions:
- Patient factors, including smoking status and diabetes, significantly impact subtalar fusion outcomes.
- Findings aid surgeons in providing more accurate preoperative information regarding expectations and potential success rates of subtalar arthrodesis.
