Between 2000 and 2004 we used subtalar arthrodesis to treat 44 patients for continued pain after intra-articular calcaneal fracture. All the fractures were due to laboral accidents.

Average time to union was 3 month(2 to 4 months). Complications were minor in 12 patients and major in 10 patients.

Lenght of follow-up was 23 months.

Hindfoot scores (clinical rating system of the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society)improved from 35,11 to 67,22.

The results were excelent in 7 patients, good in 24, fair in 7 and bad in 6 patients. Return to previous activities was possible in 26 pacients.

We concludes that subtalar arthrodesis represents a rather effective treatment of the subtalar arthritis due to inta-articular calcaneal fractures.

The majority of patients can have improvement with surgical reconstruction but pain relief is usually not complete.

BACKGROUND: Plantar fascitiis/heal pain is the most common condition treated by the foot and ankle specialists.The etiology of plantar fascitiis is unknown and has been attributed to manny different etiological factors.

HYPOTHESIS: We believe injecting autologus platelet concentrate into recalcitrants symptomatic plantar fascia may cause a reparative effect leading to resolution of symptoms.

METHOD: 30 patients with chronic plantar fascitiis were evaluated in this study.The patients had to drop any concomitant conservative treatment or orthotic device and stop having any cortisone injection within 90 days prior to surgery.Each patient has ultrasound mesurement of the thickness of the plantar fascia prior to the surgery and postinjection at 1 month,3months,6 months and 1 year.

RESULTS: 20 patients achieved complete resolution of symptoms after two months;four patients had a complete resolution after a second injection of autologus platelet concentrate;four patients had occasional pain when walking barefoot;two patients were dropped from the study due to an injection of cortisone.

After one year 22 patients (73,3%)had complete resolution of symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS: This successful findings indicates that injection of autologus paltelet concentrate may become a very commonly used method of treating of chronic palntat fascitiis. This technique is safe and don’t impaire the biomechanical function of the foot. We think that the results may be improved with a multifactorial treatment regimen instead a single isolated modality as we used in our study.