title: Effect of correction of hindfoot valgus deformity on ankle joint pain relief in rheumatoid arthritis cases: A report of two cases.
abstract: We often see painful ankle joint destruction with painful hindfoot valgus deformity in rheumatoid arthritis. Our policy in such cases has been to first correct the hindfoot deformity in the subtalar joint with fusion, but then ankle joint pain has been observed. Two women with rheumatoid arthritis underwent correction and fusion surgery for hindfoot valgus deformity. They had been using wheelchairs because of severe pain in the ankle joint and hindfoot despite extensive medical treatment. After surgery, both patients complained of no pain in the hindfoot. Furthermore, dramatic pain reduction in the ankle joint was also observed especially in a case without ankle joint instability. Consequently, the patients could walk without any support. Correction of valgus hindfoot deformity contributes to centralizing the weight-bearing line in the ankle joint, leading to ankle joint pain relief. It appears possible to preserve the ankle joint without additional ankle surgery even in rheumatoid arthritis cases, if ankle is stable.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, National Hospital Organization, Osaka Minami Medical Center, Kawachinagano, Japan.
authors.forename: Makoto
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hirao
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, National Hospital Organization, Osaka Minami Medical Center, Kawachinagano, Japan.
authors.forename: Hideki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tsuboi
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, National Hospital Organization, Osaka Minami Medical Center, Kawachinagano, Japan.
authors.forename: Shosuke
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Akita
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, National Hospital Organization, Osaka Minami Medical Center, Kawachinagano, Japan.
authors.forename: Masato
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Matsushita
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Research, National Hospital Organization, Osaka Minami Medical Center, Kawachinagano, Japan.
authors.forename: Shiro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ohshima
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Research, National Hospital Organization, Osaka Minami Medical Center, Kawachinagano, Japan.
authors.forename: Yukihiko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Saeki
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, National Hospital Organization, Osaka Minami Medical Center, Kawachinagano, Japan.
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hashimoto
keywords: Rheumatoid arthritis; ankle joint pain; correction of subtalar joint with fusion; displacement of weight-bearing line; painful valgus hindfoot deformity