title: Maintenance of longitudinal foot arch after different mid/hind-foot arthrodesis procedures in a cadaveric model.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Currently, the optimal treatment of flatfoot remains inconclusive. Our objectives were to understand the effect of different arthrodeses on maintenance of foot arch and provide experimental basis for rational selection in treatment of flatfoot.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixteen fresh-frozen cadaver feet amputated above the ankle along with a section of leg were studied from ten males and six females. We used standard clinical techniques and hardware for making the arthrodeses. Plantar pressure in the medial and lateral longitudinal arch distribution was measured with a plantar pressure mapping system under different loading conditions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Values of plantar pressure reaction, mean and maximum dynamic peak pressure between all group pairs were statistically significant (P<0.05). The plantar pressure reaction appeared at the load of 960 N in the medial arch of the unoperated foot, compared with 1080 N after subtalar arthrodesis, 1200 N after talonavicular arthrodesis, 1080 N after calcaneocuboid arthrodesis, 1320 N after double arthrodesis, and 1560 N after triple arthrodesis. The plantar pressure reaction appeared at the load of 360 N in the lateral arch of the unoperated foot, compared with 600 N after subtalar arthrodesis, 600 N after talonavicular arthrodesis, 840 N after calcaneocuboid arthrodesis, 960 N after double arthrodesis, and 1440 N after triple arthrodesis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The triple arthrodesis provided the highest support to both arches; the double arthrodesis appeared to be similar to talonavicular arthrodesis in supporting the medial arch and similar to calcaneocuboid arthrodesis in supporting the lateral arch; subtalar arthrodesis was less effective in supporting both arches.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Trauma, East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, 150 Jimo Rd, 200120 Shanghai, China. Electronic address: cyxtongji@126.com.
authors.forename: Yanxi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Trauma, East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, 150 Jimo Rd, 200120 Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Kun
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Trauma, East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, 150 Jimo Rd, 200120 Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Minfei
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Qiang
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Trauma, East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, 150 Jimo Rd, 200120 Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Yini
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hao
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000601:surgery; D001174:Arthrodesis / Q000379:methods*; D002102:Cadaver; D005260:Female; D005413:Flatfoot / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005528:Foot / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011312:Pressure; D013639:Tarsal Bones / Q000601:surgery; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Biomechanical measurement; Cadaver; Flatfoot; Longitudinal foot arch; Mid/hind foot arthrodesis