The results of a primary and staged pantalar arthrodesis and tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis in adult patients.

Twenty-three patients (twenty-seven feet) with either a primary or staged pantalar arthrodesis or a tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis were evaluated to determine their clinical status. The main indication for the operation was the presence of severe pain unresponsive to non-operative treatment. Fourteen feet (twelve patients) had a pantalar arthrodesis; a fusion of the ankle, subtalar, talonavicular and calcaneocuboid joints. Half the feet in this group had either a triple arthrodesis or an ankle fusion performed at an earlier time. The remaining seven feet had all joints fused during the same operation. Thirteen feet (eleven patients) had a tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis. Two of these feet had an ankle arthrodesis performed four and six years previously. The other eleven had the ankle and subtalar joints fused during the same operation. All patients were followed for a mean of fifty-five months (14 to 159 months) from the time of their final arthrodesis procedure. Overall, twenty-three of the twenty-seven feet achieved a solid arthrodesis of all joints operated upon. Four feet had a failure of fusion of only a single joint and all were in the pantalar group. The mean time to radiographic fusion was twenty-three weeks and resulted in a plantigrade foot with an average tibia-floor angle of 87 degrees. Complications occurred in ten feet (37%); of which there were three deep infections; two ankles and one subtalar joint. These arthrodeses procedures resulted in marked relief of the patients' preoperative pain, the main indication for performing the surgery. Postoperatively there was no pain in eleven feet, mild occasional pain in thirteen feet, and moderate pain in only three feet. However, when all parameters of our clinical rating scale were evaluated, only five patients had an excellent clinical result, nine were rated good, three were rated fair and six patients had a poor result. These operations must be considered to be salvage procedures. They are technically difficult to perform and major complications may occur. Pain relief appears to be the main indication for performing these operations, and may account for whatever improvement occurs in the patient's function.