[Osseous bridge resection for the treatment of adult talocalaneal coalitions without arthritis].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze clinical outcomes of osseous-bridge resection for the treatment of adult symptomatic talocalcaneal coalitions without arthritis.

METHODS: The clinical data of 12 patients (15 feet) with symptomatic talocalcaneal coalitions without arthtitis from January 2013 to June 2016 were respectively analyzed. All cases were secondary talocalcaneal coalition. There were 9 males (11 feet) and 3 females (4 feet) with a mean (26.6±3.3) years old (ranged, 18 to 33 years old). According to the Rozansky classification, there were 4 (6 feet) type I, 3 (3 feet) type II, 2 (2 feet) type III, 1 (1 feet) type IV, and 2 (3 feet) type V. All patients received coalition resection and interposition of fat graft. Complication, recurrence and range of motion was regularly recorded after operation. Clinical efficacy was evaluated according to the visual analogue scale (VAS) and the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle hindfoot scale.

RESULTS: All patients were followed up for an average duration of (28.7±18.3) months (ranged, 12 to 48 months). All the incisions were primarily healed. There were no wound necrosis, infection, neurovascular or tendon injuries. Range of motion was improved in 13 feet. All patients returned back to work. Recurrence happened in 1 case 2 years after surgery, the patient received a secondary coalition resection. At the latest follow-up, VAS was 2.1±0.8 and AOFAS score was 82.7±7.2, were siginificantly improved when compared with the preoperative scores(8.2±0.7, t =6.233, P <0.01; 48.4±6.8, t =5.747, P <0.01).

CONCLUSIONS: For adult patients with symptomatic talocalcaneal coalitions without arthritis, simple coalition resection could provide good clinical outcomes with minimal complications.