[Arthroscopic tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis].

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Foot and Ankle Surgery

Background:

• Tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis (TTCA) is a surgical procedure for end-stage ankle and hindfoot disorders.
• Traditionally performed via open surgery, TTCA has high complication rates (over 50%) and variable bone union rates.

Observation:

• Predictive risk assessment shows increased complications in patients with diabetes, prior surgery, or ulceration.
• Arthroscopic TTCA, a less invasive approach, has shown promising results in limited studies.

Findings:

• A small series of 17 patients undergoing arthroscopic TTCA reported only one subtalar non-union and one minor complication.
• This suggests arthroscopic TTCA may be a viable alternative for high-risk individuals.

Implications:

• Arthroscopic TTCA may reduce complications in patients with diabetes, peripheral arterial occlusive disease, or ulceration.
• Further research is needed to validate these findings and establish arthroscopic TTCA as a standard procedure.