Subtalar arthrodesis alignment: the effect on ankle biomechanics

The position, axis, and control of each lower extremity joint intimately affect adjacent joint function as well as whole-limb performance. A review of the literature finds little describing the biomechanics of subtalar arthrodesis and the effect on ankle biomechanics. The purpose of the current study was to establish this effect on sagittal plane ankle biomechanics.

A study was performed using a 3-dimensional, validated, computational model of the lower extremity. A subtalar arthrodesis was simulated from 20 degrees of varus to 20 degrees of valgus. At each arthrodesis position, the ankle dorsiflexor and plantarflexor muscles' fiber force, moment arm, and moments were calculated throughout a physiologic range of motion.

Throughout ankle range of motion, plantarflexion and dorsiflexion strength varied with subtalar arthrodesis position. When the ankle joint was in neutral sagittal alignment, plantarflexion strength was maximized in 10 degrees of subtalar valgus, and strength varied by a maximum of 2.6% from the peak 221 Nm. In a similar manner, with the ankle joint in neutral position, dorsiflexion strength was maximized with a subtalar joint arthrodesis in 5 degrees of valgus, and strength varied by a maximum of 7.5% from the peak 46.8 Nm. The change in strength was due to affected muscle fiber force generating capacities and muscle moment arms.

The significance of this study is that subtalar arthrodesis in a position of 5 to 10 degrees of subtalar valgus has a biomechanical advantage.

This supports previous clinical outcome studies and offers a biomechanical rationale for their generally favorable outcomes.