title: Arthroscopic subtalar arthrodesis after a calcaneus fracture covered with a forearm flap.
abstract: Surgical treatment of intraarticular calcaneal fractures is often associated with postoperative wound problems. Soft tissue necrosis, bone loss and uncontrollable infection are a challenge for the surgeon and amputation may in some cases be the ultimate solution. A free flap can be very helpful to cover a significant soft tissue defect and help in fighting the infection. However, the free flap complicates the surgical approach if subtalar arthrodesis and bone reconstruction are needed. This study demonstrates the value of an arthroscopic technique to resect the remaining articular cartilage in preparation for subtalar arthrodesis and bone grafting. This approach avoids compromising the soft tissues and minimizes damage to the free flap.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, AZ Groeninge, Burgemeester Vercruysselaan 5, 8500 Kortrijk, Belgium.
authors.forename: Frederick
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Michels
authors.forename: Filip
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Stockmans
authors.forename: Stéphane
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Guillo
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Van Der Bauwhede
authors.forename: Dirk
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Oosterlinck
references.citation: Plast Reconstr Surg. 1998 Nov;102(6):1999-2005
references.pmid: 9810997
references.citation: Orthop Clin North Am. 2010 Jan;41(1):27-37; table of contents
references.pmid: 19931050
references.citation: J Foot Ankle Surg. 2003 Sep-Oct;42(5):276-81
references.pmid: 14566719
references.citation: Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1993 May;(290):87-95
references.pmid: 8472475
references.citation: Scand J Surg. 2005;94(3):243-5
references.pmid: 16259176
references.citation: Arch Orthop Trauma Surg. 1987;106(5):263-7
references.pmid: 3307692
references.citation: Foot Ankle Surg. 2008;14(2):82-8
references.pmid: 19083620
references.citation: Arthroscopy. 2010 Feb;26(2):230-8
references.pmid: 20141986
references.citation: Arthroscopy. 2000 Nov;16(8):871-6
references.pmid: 11078550
references.citation: J Orthop Trauma. 1999 Jun-Jul;13(5):369-72
references.pmid: 10406705
references.citation: Foot Ankle Int. 1998 Dec;19(12):856-61
references.pmid: 9872474