Subtalar arthroscopic procedures for the treatment of subtalar pathologic conditions: 115 consecutive cases

Arthroscopic procedures of subtalar pathology has shown promising results in previous studies, but the number of patients was relatively small. This article describes our experience and evaluated the clinical outcomes of 115 patients treated with subtalar arthroscopy for a range of subtalar pathologies. One hundred fifteen patients were followed up for >1 year after undergoing a subtalar arthroscopic procedure. Mean patient age was 40 years, and mean follow-up period was 42 months. Preoperative diagnosis included sinus tarsi syndrome in 31 patients, degenerative arthritis in 30, calcaneal fracture in 15, arthrofibrosis in 10, os trigonum syndrome in 8, talar fracture in 5, talocalcaneal coalition in 7, and calcaneal tumor in 1. The clinically modified American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) and AOFAS ankle-hindfoot scales and patient satisfaction were evaluated. Thirty-one patients had subtalar synovitis and underwent synovectomy; 9 had mild degenerative disease and underwent debridement and chondroplasty; 6 had chondromalacia and underwent intra-articular shaving; 11 had a loose body removed; 10 underwent arthroscopic resection for arthrofibrosis; 8 had symptomatic os trigonum and underwent arthroscopic excision; 6 underwent excision and multiple drilling for an osteochondral lesion of the talus; and 26 had severe degenerative joint disease and underwent arthroscopic subtalar arthrodesis. The mean modified AOFAS ankle-hindfoot scale in the subtalar fusion group was increased from 33 points preoperatively to 84 points postoperatively (P< .005), and the mean AOFAS ankle-hindfoot scale in the other-than-fusion group increased from 69 points preoperatively to 89 points postoperatively (P<.005). Ninety-seven percent of patients were satisfied with the procedure, and there were no serious complications.