Long-term results of tibiotalar arthrodesis

One hundred and one tibiotalar arthrodeses were performed using a single surgical technique that has not been previously reported. The average follow-up was ten years (range, two to twenty-five years). The rate of pseudarthrosis was 5 per cent, four to five times less than in other recent large reports. Pseudarthrosis occurred only in patients with a sensory deficit. Secure fusion was radiographically documented in 95 per cent and the functional clinical result was good to excellent in 90 per cent. The ideal fusion position was found to be neutral or slight equinus angulation, and varus-valgus angulation equal to that of the contralateral side. More than 7 degrees of varus angulation of the heel was associated with symptomatic lateral metatarsalgia in all feet in which it occurred. Radiographic measurement documented an average 85 per cent (11-degree) increase in postoperative tarsal motion. Neither symptoms nor function correlated with the degree of tarsal hypermobility.