title: Posterior arthroscopic subtalar arthrodesis: ten cases at one-year follow-up.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Isolated subtalar arthrodesis is the treatment of choice for several conditions -mostly subtalar arthritis, tarsal coalition and posterior tibial tendon dysfunction- unresponsive to conservative treatment. Arthroscopic procedures are an interesting recent alternative, less invasive than conventional open techniques. Posterior arthroscopy, in prone position, could be more advantageous than the conventional lateral and/or anterior approach.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten cases, from 20 to 59-years-old, were prospectively followed up for minimum of one-year (range 12 to 31 months). Arthritis and tarsal coalition were the most common indications.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fusion was observed in all cases at a maximum of nine weeks. Mean average AOFAS score improved from 47 to 78. No complications were noted related to the technique. Only two patients, operated for a symptomatic subtalar coalition, complained of some residual pain due to a lateral submalleolar impingement. Interest of preservation of vascular talar supply and bone grafting are discussed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The good results using this innovative technique are encouraging. Long-term randomized studies remain necessary to confirm the reliability of the procedure in these different indications, and the type of bone graft to favour, if really needed.
  
  
  METHODS
  Level IV therapeutic study.
authors.affiliation: Cliniques universitaires Saint-Luc, Saint-Luc Academic Hospitals Avenue Hippocrate, 10, 1200 Brussels, Belgium. a1.albert@belgacom.net
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Albert
authors.forename: P-A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Deleu
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Leemrijse
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Maldague
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Devos Bevernage
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001168:Arthritis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D001174:Arthrodesis / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007592:Joint Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D011859:Radiography; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013380:Subtalar Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult