Results of triple arthrodesis in children and adolescents

We retrospectively evaluated 38 patients who had a total of 52 triple arthrodeses. The average age at the time of operation was 14.2 years and the mean followup period was 10.2 years. Results were rated good in 17 feet, fair in 28 and poor in 7. Talonavicular pseudarthrosis was observed in two feet, residual varus deformity in four, residual valgus deformity in one, wound infections in two, and wound haematomas in six. Better results were observed in cavovarus and planovalgus foot deformity, whereas poor results were especially seen in rigid equinovarus, calcaneoplanovalgus and equinoplanovalgus deformity. The role of supplementary operations performed prior to or concomitantly with the triple arthrodesis is crucial for correction of the deformity. Triple arthrodesis is a reliable procedure which generally produces good and satisfactory results. Very often, it needs to be supplemented by other operations for correction of complex foot deformities, as well as for the functional improvement of the patients.