[Effectiveness of talonavicular arthrodesis for Müller-Weiss disease]

To evaluate the short-term effectiveness of talonavicular arthrodesis for Müller-Weiss disease.

Between May 2013 and February 2015, 13 patients with Müller-Weiss disease were treated with talonavicular arthrodesis. There were 11 females and 2 males with an average age of 59 years (range, 42-67 years). The disease duration was 8-20 years (mean, 13 years). According to Maceira stage, there were 7 cases of stage Ⅲ, 6 cases of stage Ⅳ. The foot longitudinal arch height measured on weight-bearing X-ray films was (43.1±1.8) mm; the Meary angle and talocalcaneal angle measured on lateral X-ray films were (-2.8±2.3)° and (5.8±2.4)°, respectively; the calcaneal valgus angle measured on Saltzman position X-ray films was (-2.0±0.7)°. The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score was 43.5±12.4, and visual analogue scale (VAS) score was 7.3±1.5.

All the patients were followed up 14-39 months (mean, 20 months). The symptoms of foot pain and intermittent claudication disappeared in all patients. All cases achieved bony union, the fusion time was 12-16 weeks (mean, 13 weeks). There was no complications such as wound infection, skin necrosis, or internal fixator broken. At last follow-up, the foot longitudinal arch height, Meary angle, talocalcaneal angle, and calcaneal valgus angle were (52.5±2.2) mm, (1.3±2.2)°, (16.5±3.7)°, and (0.4±0.7)°, respectively; the AOFAS score and VAS score were 83.8±9.1 and 1.0±0.4, respectively; all were significantly improved when compared with preoperative ones ( P<0.05).

If the subtalar and calcaneocuboid joints are relatively healthy, talonavicular arthrodesis may be a reliable and effective surgical option for Müller-Weiss disease that is resistant to conservative treatment.