title: Talectomy and tibiocalcaneal arthrodesis with intramedullary nail fixation for treatment of equinus deformity in adults.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Severe equinovarus foot deformity in adults is a challenging problem. Conservative treatment rarely is effective, and operative options are limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of talectomy and tibiocalcaneal arthrodesis with intramedullary nail fixation for the treatment of severe equinovarus deformity in adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve patients (average age 39 years, range 15-70 years) with severe equinovarus deformities of the foot were treated with talectomy and tibiocalcaneal arthrodesis with intramedullary nail fixation between March 2010 and February 2013. Average follow-up was 20 months (range 10-37 months).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Tibiocalcaneal fusion was achieved in all patients at an average of 12 weeks (range 8-17 weeks). Preoperatively, all patients had severe, irreducible equinovarus deformities; at last follow-up, almost all feet had mild residual deformity, but were plantigrade and did not require a brace or orthosis. The average AOFAS ankle score improved from 41.1 (range 8-66) preoperatively to 78.4 (range 67-86) postoperatively (P = .02). There was a similar improvement in the average VAS score from 6.3 (range 2-10) preoperatively to 0.8 (range 0-4) postoperatively (P = .02).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The combination of talectomy and tibiocalcaneal arthrodesis was effective in correcting severe rigid equinovarus deformity in adults. Removal of the talus resulted in laxity of the soft tissues, making correction of the deformity easier. Tibiocalcaneal arthrodesis achieved a stable foot without the problems associated with talectomy alone.
  
  
  METHODS
  Level IV, case series.
authors.affiliation: Baltalimani Metin Sabanci Bone and Joint Diseases Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey sarper154@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Sarper
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gursu
authors.affiliation: Baltalimani Metin Sabanci Bone and Joint Diseases Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Hakan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bahar
authors.affiliation: Baltalimani Metin Sabanci Bone and Joint Diseases Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Yalkin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Camurcu
authors.affiliation: Baltalimani Metin Sabanci Bone and Joint Diseases Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Timur
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yildirim
authors.affiliation: Baltalimani Metin Sabanci Bone and Joint Diseases Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Fettah
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Buyuk
authors.affiliation: Baltalimani Metin Sabanci Bone and Joint Diseases Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Cagri
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ozcan
authors.affiliation: Baltalimani Metin Sabanci Bone and Joint Diseases Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Vedat
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Sahin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D001174:Arthrodesis / Q000379:methods*; D002111:Calcaneus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D004863:Equinus Deformity / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005594:Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D013628:Talus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D013977:Tibia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: equinovarus deformity; intramedullary nail; talectomy; tibiocalcaneal arthrodesis