• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.171-175
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• 2015

Purpose: Tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis has been used as a treatment option for severe deformity including Charcot arthropathy, avascular necrosis of the talus, and severe osteoarthritis of the ankle and subtalar joint. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the result of the surgical outcome of tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis using a retrograde intramedullary nail. Materials and Methods: Tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis using a retrograde intramedullary nail was performed by one surgeon in 36 cases. Clinical and radiological finding was evaluated using assessment of fusion time, 5th metatarsal-tibial angle, possibility of postoperative complication, visual analogue scale for pain and American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score. Results: Union was achieved in 33 cases at an average of 23 weeks (11~29 weeks). There were 3 cases of nonunion and 1 case of reoperation. Nail-tibial angle tended to be larger in nonunion cases. AOFAS score showed significantly poor outcome at malalignment (${\geq}5^{\circ}$), negative value of 5th metatarsal-tibial angle. Conclusion: Tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis using a retrograde intramedullary nail is considered a useful treatment option for severe destruction and deformity involving ankle and subtalar joint.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.15-22
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• 1997

A variety of surgical approach for ankle and tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis has been described. We used a transfibular approach between the sural nerve and lateral branch of the superficial peroneal nerve. This permits excellent visualization of the ankle and subtalar joint so that the fusion can readily be achieved under the direct visualization. Eight ankle fusions and four tibiotalocalcaneal fusions were carried out through a transfibular approach and reviewed. The resected fibula was utilized for bone graft. The follow up period was from 12 to 22 months. Ages of the patients ranged from 27 to 58 years. The postoperative regimen was six weeks nonweight bearing in a short leg cast, followed by weight bearing in a short leg cast until union occurred. All cases were fused except one who had preoperative pyogenic arthritis of the ankle and hindfoot. The results were as follows; 1. The chance of incisional neuroma is lessened through incision between the sural nerve and superficial peroneal nerve. 2. The possibility of a skin slough is reduced by using full thickness skin flaps. 3. Excellent visualization of the ankle and subtalar joint is easily achieved. So, we believed that the transfibular approach for ankle and tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis is the excellent surgical approach.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.202-207
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the radiological and clinical outcomes of tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis using retrograde compressive intramedullary nail for patients with complex hindfoot problems, including Charcot arthropathy, osteonecrosis of talus, combined arthritis of the ankle and subtalar joint, failure of previous ankle arthrodesis, and failed total ankle arthroplasty. Materials and Methods: Eighteen consecutive patients (10 men and 8 women) with an average age of 54 years (range, 42~72 years) underwent tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis using retrograde compressive intramedullary nail fixation. The mean duration of follow-up was 16 months (range, 12~23 months). Radiological evaluation included assessment of the union status of ankle and subtalar joints. Clinical evaluations included visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain and patient satisfaction, and postoperative complications were analyzed. Results: Radiological union was achieved in 14 ankle joints (77%) and 16 subtalar joints (88%) at an average of 16 weeks (range, 14~40 weeks) and 14 weeks (range, 12~24 weeks), respectively. The preoperative VAS were 4.6 (range, 4~8) at rest and 8.2 (range, 7~10) during walking, and the postoperative VAS were 2.2 (range, 0~3) and 4.6 (range, 4~6), respectively (p<0.05). There were 6 nonunions (4 ankle joints and 2 subtalar joints), 3 tibia fractures, 2 delayed union of ankle joints, and 2 breakage of the implant. Conclusion: Tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis using retrograde compressive intramedullary nail may be considered as a viable option in patients with complex hindfoot problems.

• Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.133-140
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• 2019

Purpose: This study examined the radiological and clinical outcomes of tibiotalocacalcaneal arthrodesis using retrograde intramedullary nailing in a severe hindfoot deformity and ankle/subtalar arthritis. Materials and Methods: A total of 22 patients (22 cases) with a severe hindfoot deformity and arthritis underwent tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis with retrograde intramedullary nails. The average age was 57.4 years (22-82 years) and the mean follow-up was 29.6 months (12-74 months). The radiological outcomes included an assessment of the preoperative and postoperative coronal ankle alignment, hindfoot alignment, sagittal alignment, and postoperative union time. The clinical outcomes were evaluated using the visual analogue scale (VAS), American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score, and postoperative complications. The results were analyzed statistically by dividing the patients into two groups based on a 10° angle of deformity. Results: Regarding the preoperative coronal ankle alignment, 14 patients had a mean varus deformity of 17.8°±14.5° and six had a mean valgus deformity of 8.1°±6.6°. Postoperatively, a satisfactory postoperative coronal ankle alignment of less than 5° was obtained in all patients. Regarding the preoperative hindfoot alignment, 12 patients showed a mean varus deformity of 15.2°±10.5° and six had a mean valgus deformity of 8.1°±4.2°. In total, 94.4% (17 patients) had satisfactory postoperative hindfoot alignment of less than 5°. Radiological union was achieved in 90.9% at an average of 19.2 weeks (12-32 weeks) and there were 2 cases of nonunion. The clinical outcomes showed improvement in the mean VAS and AOFAS scores (p<0.001, p<0.001, respectively). Even a preoperative severe deformity more than 10° showed a significant deformity correction of coronal ankle alignment and hindfoot alignment, postoperatively (p<0.001, p<0.001, respectively). No significant differences were found between the patients with a preoperative coronal ankle deformity more than 10° and those less than 10° regarding the mean postoperative coronal ankle alignment (p=0.162). Conclusion: Tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis using retrograde intramedullary nailing is an acceptable technique for achieving satisfactory deformity correction, high union rate with minimal complications, and improvement of the clinical outcomes. In addition, tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis using retrograde intramedullary nailing is considered an effective treatment option, particularly in severe ankle and hindfoot deformities.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.147-152
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• 2014

Ankle arthrodesis has been used as standard treatment of ankle arthritis unresponsive to conservative treatment. Transfibular approach was used for ankles with severe deformities and minimally invasive arthroscopic ankle arthrodesis was used for patients with mild deformities. Anterior approach may be used when lateral approach couldn't be performed. Tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis is standard treatment for coexisting ankle and subtalar arthritis, and modified Blair arthrodesis can be used if the talus body resection is necessary in severe talar necrosis. In serious infection of ankle arthritis, arthrodesis can be performed as staged operation. In cases with low bone density and severe deformities, Charcot arthropathy should be considered.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.213-217
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• 2006

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical and radiological results of tibio-talo-calcaneal arthrodesis using ipsilateral distal fibula buttress which had advantages of extended operative field and release of contracted soft tissue. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 4 postraumatic compartment syndrome, 2 residual poliomyelitis, 1 posttraumatic osteoarthritis with subtalar joint infection and 1 posttarumatic sciatic nerve palsy patients who underwent a tibio-talo-calcaneal arthrodesis from April, 1996 to March, 2002. Each of the cases was notable for a severe rigid equinovarus, persistent pus drainage of calcaneal area and paralytic foot. The mean duration of follow up was 18 months (range, $13{\sim}42$ months). The pain, function and alignment were evaluated by the modified ankle hindfoot scale of the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) and patients satisfaction clinically. The radiological union were evaluated by plain AP and lateral radiographs. Results: The AOFAS score improved from 58 points (range, $47{\sim}78$) preoperatively to 82 (range, $60{\sim}89$) postoperatively. Patents satisfaction checked at 12 months after operation had favorable results (excellent and good 80%). Union rate was 100% radiographically and the mean duration of union was 12.5 weeks (range $8{\sim}22$ weeks). There was 2 cases of superficial pin tract infection and one protrusion of screw. Conclusion: Tibio-talo-calcaneal arthrodesis using ipsilateral distal fibula buttress was good modality of arthrodesis which provides wide operative field and release of contracted soft tissue in some cases of contracted foot.