Chronic laxity of the subtalar joint.

Chronic laxity of the subtalar joint derives from the functional significance of the joint with the talo-calcaneal interosseous ligament as the articular "pivot." The laxity of the subtalar joint is usually associated with traumatic or degenerative pathology of the interosseus ligament. The characteristic pain is present along the sinus tarsi and at times also more proximally along the posterior subtalar joint. Radiographic examination is not significant; however, with arthrography, the normal synovial recess of the posterior subtalar joint corresponding to the sinus tarsi is not visualized. With magnetic resonance imaging it has been possible to document structural alterations of ligament. Reconstruction of the interosseus talo-calcaneal ligament has a reasonable expectation of success. The author presents the results of this treatment in 47 operations (44 patients, 3 bilateral) between January 1982 and June 1992.