Retrospective review of 80 triple arthrodeses (mean 13-year follow-up) critically examining whether patient satisfaction aligns with objective clinical and radiographic outcomes, and which pre-operative factors predict poor results.
When planning triple arthrodesis for rigid equinovarus, recognize that bony resection alone is insufficient — concurrent Achilles tendon lengthening is required to bring the heel down before fixing the fusion, or you risk AVN of the talus, pseudarthrosis, and persistent deformity.
Counsel patients that subjective satisfaction runs far ahead of objective outcomes: adjacent joint degeneration at the ankle and midfoot is the rule over a decade, not the exception.
Retrospective review of 80 triple arthrodeses (mean 13-year follow-up) critically examining whether patient satisfaction aligns with objective clinical and radiographic outcomes, and which pre-operative factors predict poor results.
When planning triple arthrodesis for rigid equinovarus, recognize that bony resection alone is insufficient — concurrent Achilles tendon lengthening is required to bring the heel down before fixing the fusion, or you risk AVN of the talus, pseudarthrosis, and persistent deformity.
Counsel patients that subjective satisfaction runs far ahead of objective outcomes: adjacent joint degeneration at the ankle and midfoot is the rule over a decade, not the exception.