CALCANEAL LENGTHENING OSTEOTOMY AND TALOCALCANEAL TARSAL COALITION

Abstract

Surgical resection of the persistently painful talocalcaneal tarsal coalition has not been shown to reliably relieve symptoms in patients with coalitions that are large and have associated hindfoot valgus and subtalar arthrosis. It has been recommended that these patients undergo triple arthrodesis, a procedure that is known to lead to premature arthrosis of the ankle joint. To avoid additional stress on this important joint, treatment of this patient group using calcaneal lengthening osteotomy (CLO), with or without resection of the coalition, has been performed at our institution for the last 15 years.

A retrospective review of all patients with talocalcaneal coalitions who had undergone CLO was performed. Clinical and radiographic records were reviewed. Demographic data, and pre- and post-operative pain and function were recorded. Pre- and post-operative radiographs and computed tomography (CT) scans were reviewed and measurements recorded. CT scans were used to calculate the degree of hindfoot valgus and the size of the coalition. Patients were invited to return for clinical examination and follow-up x-rays if two years had passed since their operation. They completed American foot and ankle hindfoot scores, VAS pain scores and were asked satisfaction questionnaires. Radiographic measurements were performed.

There were 13 patients who underwent 19 CLOs. Of these 13 patients, eight patients with 13 CLO’s returned for clinical examination and radiographs. Five patients had nine CLO’s to correct deformity without resection of a large middle facet talocalcaneal coalition with severe hindfoot deformity. All patients had restoration of normal foot shape with improvement in comfort and function. One patient had improvement in comfort and function following bilateral simultaneous coalition resection of cartilaginous coalition and CLO to correct significant hindfoot deformity. Two patients had improvement in pain and function in a foot that had residual pain and deformity following prior talocalcaneal coalition resection.

CLO, usually accompanied by a heel cord lengthening, is a useful operation both in the failed middle facet resection where there is persistent pain and deformity, and also in the very large coalition with associated deformity and/or arthrosis that is not appropriate for resection. It corrects the foot deformity, improves comfort and function, maintains motion in Chopart’s joints and therefore, unlike triple arthrodesis, avoids additional stresses in the ankle joint.