Abstract
We report a single surgeon series of 33 arthroscopic subtalar fusions performed through a 2-portal sinus tarsi approach on 32 patients between March 2004 and February 2009. Background pathologies included primary arthrosis, post-traumatic arthritis, planovalgus foot, rheumatoid disease, sinus tarsi syndrome and CTEV.
97% [32/33] of fusions as assessed by both clinical and radiological means were achieved within 16 weeks [76% [25/33] within 12 weeks] with only a single outlier which had fused by 22 weeks. There were no deep infections, thrombotic events or neuromas. Five patients suffered complications of which four were successfully treated with a satisfactory outcome. One patient developed persistent pain and was eventually referred to another centre for further management.
In our experience arthroscopic subtalar fusion surgery has been demonstrated to give excellent outcomes with minimal complications. Furthermore, it is a technique allowing surgery even in patients with significant hindfoot deformity. It is a suitable operation even for patients with a compromised soft tissue envelope which would normally preclude an open procedure.
