Subtalar Distraction Bone Block Arthrodesis (Five Cases)

Yoo, Chong Il; Eun, Il Soo; Jung, Yong Wook

Abstract

PURPOSE: To determine the efficacy of the SDBBA (Subtalar distraction bone block arthrodesis) procedure on patients with late complication of intra-articular calcaneal fractures including subtalar joint arthritis and anterior ankle impingement syndrome.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Five cases in which the SDBBA procedure was implemented were followed for more than one year. All five patients were male with an average age of 56. Clinically, the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score and the pain score were assessed. Radiographically, the talocalcaneal height and the talar inclination angle were determined.
RESULTS
All five patients achieved subtalar joint fusion. The average pre-operative AOFAS score was 22.8 scores (range, 8-32 scores). At last follow-up, these scores improved to an average of 72.4 scores (range, 64-82 scores). The average pre-operative pain score was 8.2 scores (range, 7-10 scores). At last follow-up, these scores improved to an average of 13.2 (range, 12-15 scores). The average pre-operative talocalcaneal height was 72.8 mm (range, 70-77 mm), average post-operative talocalcaneal height improved to 79.8 mm (range, 78-84 mm). At final follow-up, these measurement was slightly decreased to average 78.6 mm (range, 74-83 mm). The average pre-operative talar inclination angle was 13.2 degrees (range, 12-15 degrees), average post-operative talar inclination angle improved to 19.2 degrees (range, 15-24 degrees). At final follow-up, these measurement was slightly decreased to average 18.6 degrees (range, 12-24 degrees). Four patients achieved successful outcomes. One patient developed a wound infection with subsequent sural neuropathy as well as collapse of the bone graft.
CONCLUSION
This study shows that the SDBBA procedure successfully restores the talocalcaneal height and tibio-talar relationship. This procedure is useful in surgically managed patients with talo-calcaneal height loss and anterior ankle impingement syndrome due to the late complications of calcaneal intra-articular fractures.