Endoscopic Resection of Different Types of Talocalcaneal Coalition

The purpose of this study was to describe the technique of endoscopic resection of talocalcaneal coalition (TCC) by using 2 posterior portals and to report the outcomes of endoscopic resection of different types and sites of TCC.

An interventional prospective study was conducted on 20 feet in 18 consecutive patients who were diagnosed by computed tomography to have TCC for which nonoperative treatment had failed and endoscopic resection was performed. The patients were divided into groups according to the site of the coalition (middle facet or posterior facet) and according to type (fibrous, cartilage, or bony). The mean follow-up period was 26 months (range, 6-36).

The average preoperative American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) hindfoot score was 57.7 (range, 40-65), and the average preoperative visual analog scale (VAS) score was 7.8 (range, 6-8). The average postoperative AOFAS hindfoot score was 92.4 (range, 85-98; P < .01). The average postoperative VAS score was 2.4 (range, 1-4). All patients showed no recurrence on postoperative lateral and Harris-Beath X-ray until the end of the study.

Endoscopic resection of TCC was an effective and useful method for the treatment of talocalcaneal coalition. It provided excellent outcomes with no recurrence in this short-term study. Resection of the fibrous type had a better outcome than resection of cartilage and bony types. Endoscopic resection of the posterior coalition had a better outcome than resection of the middle coalition.

Level III, comparative study.