A review of 51 talonavicular joint arthrodeses for flexible pes valgus deformity

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the radiographic and clinical outcomes of isolated talonavicular arthrodesis in the treatment of the flexible pes valgus foot type. Retrospectively, 51 consecutive isolated talonavicular arthrodeses in 41 patients were evaluated. The mean patient age was 47 (range 9 to 72) years, and the mean follow-up duration was 43.3 (range 11 to 113) months. The mean 10-cm categorical pain score before the surgery was 7.60 +/- 2.37, and this improved to 1.90 +/- 2.38 postoperatively, and this difference was statistically significant (P < .001). We also measured the preoperative and postoperative percent of talar uncovering, calcaneocuboid angle, Kite's angle, talar dome height, calcaneal inclination angle, and Meary's angle, and observed statistically significant (P < .001) improvements in all of these. Fifty-one (100%) of the cases progressed to radiographic osseous union, although 2 (3.92%) of the cases were considered delayed unions. Moreover, 4 (7.84%) of the cases displayed juxta-articular arthrosis postoperatively, and 2 (3.9%) cases developed transfer pain to the lateral column. The authors concluded that isolated talonavicular arthrodesis is a safe and effective procedure for the treatment of painful pes valgus deformity.