Talocalcaneal bar resection.

The purpose of this retrospective study is to report the author's experience with talocalcaneal bar resections in eight young patients, mean age 14.1 years, with a mean follow-up of 54 months (range, 36-136 months). All patients were submitted before surgery to conservative treatment during 20.3 months (range, 6-60 months) which consisted of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication, physical therapy, short waves, and insoles. At follow-up, no recurrence and no secondary deformity of the foot were observed. Four patients were totally pain free with no restriction of activity, two patients had some pain during sport exercises, and one patient with bilateral involvement had pain after strenuous activities. The study evaluated the mobility of the subtalar joint at follow-up by comparing it with the healthy side. A total restoration of mobility was observed in four patients, partial in three, and limited residual mobility was observed in only one patient. Talocalcaneal bar resection is the treatment of choice in young patients after failure of conservative measures. In this population, there is no place for subtalar joint arthrodesis.