title: Management of the rigid arthritic flatfoot in the adults: alternatives to triple arthrodesis.
abstract: Every alternative to triple arthrodesis in the rigid acquired flatfoot deformity is predicated on limiting the patient exposure to the complication associated with triple arthrodesis. When possible, avoiding arthrodesis of either the talonavicular and calcaneocuboid joints, with their higher nonunion rates, seems a cogent option. Successful treatment is dependent on thoughtful patient evaluation and examination, meticulous joint preparation, careful positioning with rigid fixation, and judicious use of adjunctive procedures to achieve the goal of a plantigrade foot that functions well and is minimally painful.
authors.affiliation: Foot & Ankle Orthopaedic Specialist, Concord Orthopaedics PA, 264 Pleasant Street, Concord, NH 03301, USA.
authors.forename: Christopher E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Gentchos
authors.forename: John G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: Donald R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Bohay
mesh_terms: D000125:Achilles Tendon / Q000601:surgery; D000328:Adult; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D001174:Arthrodesis / Q000379:methods; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005413:Flatfoot / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005531:Foot Deformities, Acquired / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000379:methods; D011859:Radiography; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D020127:Recovery of Function; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013380:Subtalar Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D013709:Tendon Transfer / Q000379:methods; D058971:Tenotomy / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome