title: Isolated subtalar fusion for neglected painful intra-articular calcaneal fractures.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to evaluate the radiological and clinical outcomes of treatment of subtalar arthrodesis in patients developing talocalcaneal arthrosis secondary to intra-articular calcaneal fractures.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study included 20 patients (21 feet) who underwent subtalar arthrodesis due to symptomatic subtalar arthrosis following conservative treatment for intra-articular calcaneal fracture between 2005 and 2011. Autograft or allograft was used in 11 patients. Patients were evaluated clinically using the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle hindfoot score. Hindfoot alignment, quality of subtalar fusion and arthritis occurring in other joints were used for the radiological evaluations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean duration of follow-up was 43 (range: 21 to 83) months. Mean preoperative AOFAS score was 61.7 (range: 40 to 67) and mean postoperative AOFAS score was 84.2 (range: 65 to 94). The difference between scores was statistically significant (p=0.001). Six patients had excellent, 8 good and 6 fair results. Complete fusion was achieved in 19 patients (20 feet). In 2 patients, arthritic changes were radiologically observed in the midtarsal joints. These changes were not symptomatic. There were no statistically significant differences between pre- and postoperative radiological measurements. No patients experienced malunion.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  While subtalar arthrodesis appears to provide radiological and clinical benefits, it may cause moderate and asymptomatic osteoarthritis in the midtarsal joints.
authors.affiliation: Metin Sabancı Baltalimanı Bone Diseases Training and Research Hospital, Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Istanbul, Turkey. umut78@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Umut
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Yavuz
authors.affiliation: Metin Sabancı Baltalimanı Bone Diseases Training and Research Hospital, Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Sami
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sökücü
authors.affiliation: Metin Sabancı Baltalimanı Bone Diseases Training and Research Hospital, Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Bilal
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Demir
authors.affiliation: Metin Sabancı Baltalimanı Bone Diseases Training and Research Hospital, Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Devrim
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Özer
authors.affiliation: Metin Sabancı Baltalimanı Bone Diseases Training and Research Hospital, Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Cağrı
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Özcan
authors.affiliation: Metin Sabancı Baltalimanı Bone Diseases Training and Research Hospital, Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Yavuz S
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Kabukçuoğlu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001174:Arthrodesis / Q000379:methods*; D064592:Autografts; D016025:Bone Transplantation / Q000379:methods; D002111:Calcaneus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D002370:Casts, Surgical; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D017102:Fracture Healing / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D057072:Intra-Articular Fractures / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D058069:Neglected Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D011859:Radiography; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013380:Subtalar Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult