Isolated talonavicular joint arthrodesis through minimal incision surgery

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Foot and Ankle Surgery

Background:

• Talonavicular arthritis presents a significant challenge in foot and ankle pathology.
• Traditional surgical approaches may carry risks of complications, particularly in high-risk patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of a novel minimally invasive surgery (MIS) for talonavicular arthrodesis (TNA).
• To assess bony fusion rates and functional outcomes following MIS TNA.

Main Methods:

• A case series of 11 patients undergoing MIS TNA.
• Follow-up averaged 47 months, with functional outcomes assessed using the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) score and quality of life via the SF-36 questionnaire.

Main Results:

• Successful radiographic and clinical fusion was achieved in 10 out of 11 cases.
• Significant improvements were observed in AOFAS scores for physical function (mean 34.4 points) and pain (mean 23.6 points).
• No early complications such as wound infections or neurovascular damage were reported.

Conclusions:

• Minimally invasive talonavicular arthrodesis (TNA) is a potentially effective treatment for talonavicular arthritis.
• This MIS approach may be particularly beneficial for patients susceptible to wound healing complications.