[Treatment of calcaneal malunion fracture with isolated subtalar arthrodesis].

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of treatment of calcaneal malunion fracture with isolated subtalar arthrodesis.

METHODS

Twenty-one patients with calcaneal malunion fracture, with 21 diseases feet, all males, underwent tenolysis of peroneal tendon, lateral exostectomy, and isolated arthrodesis of subtalar joint and were followed up for 16 months (8-47 months). American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society and pain score systems were used to evaluate the changes of symptoms. X-ray films were taken to observe the changes of the bones.

RESULTS

The calcaneal deformity was greatly improved in all the patients and the symptom of pain disappeared or was alleviated. The mean post-operational AOFAS score was 71.3 (44-85) points, higher than that before the operation [36.7 (18-56) points]. The pain mean post-operational score was 2.0 (0-4) points, much lower than that before the operation [8.2 (7-10) points].

CONCLUSION

Surgical treatment including tenolysis of peroneal tendon, lateral exostectomy, and isolated arthrodesis of subtalar joint is effective on calcaneal malunion fracture.