Comparison of Posterior Fixation Technique and Anterior-Posterior Fixation Technique in Subtalar Arthrodesis

Jung, Hong Geun; Cho, Hyeoung Woen; Park, Hyun Woo; Park, Jong Tae

Abstract

PURPOSE
Subtalar arthrodesis has been the gold standard for the painful subtalar joint disorders. Successful subtalar arthrodesis requires fusion of the 3 facet joints. The purpose of the study is to compare the clinical outcome of the posterior fixation (P2) and anterior-posterior (A1P1) fixation technique for subtalar arthrodesis which enhance anterior and middle facet fixation.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The study is based on the 20 feet (19 patients) of the subtalar arthrodesis utilizing cannulated screws from September 2006 to September 2009 with at least 1-year follow-up. Two fixation techniques were utilized for the subtalar arthrodesis: 1) posterior fixation only (P2, 7 feet, 35%) and 2) anterior-posterior (A1P1) fixation method (13 feet, 65%). Visual Analog Scale Pain (VAS) score, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score (maximum: 94 points), the time for returning to daily living and the patient satisfaction were also evaluated.
RESULTS
Average follow-up period were 13.2 months (12-3 mo). The AOFAS score improved from preoperative average 45 (0-68) to 81.6 (62-94), while VAS score was decreased from average 8.0 (3-10) to 1.8 (0-5) at final follow-up. Ninety-five percent of the patients were satisfied with surgery. All the patients returned to daily living at average 7.2 months (2-15 mo) post-surgery. Radiographically, 2 techniques both showed 100% fusion of the posterior compartment of the subtalar joint. Postoperative complications were 1 case of low grade infection and 1 case of sural nerve neuralgia.
CONCLUSION
The subtalar arthrodesis using A1P1 fixation technique showed better fusion rate of the anterior compartment of the subtalar joint compared to P2 fixation technique although the 2 techniques both showed similar favorable clinical outcome. Therefore the A1P1 fixation technique is found to be a viable option to address chronic painful subtalar joint disorders to enhance the anterior compartment fixation.