Subtalar arthrodesis for post-traumatic osteoarthritis after intra-articular calcaneal fractures

Despite progresses in surgical treatment and outcome of intra-articular
calcaneal fractures, up to 16% of patients require late subtalar joint
arthrodesis to alleviate painful posttraumatic osteoarthritis. There is however
limited literature on subtalar arthrodesis following operative treatment of
calcaneal fractures. Specifically, it is unknown whether this procedure results
in adequate pain improvement without progressive adjacent joint arthritis,
reversal of pathological gait pattern, correction of any talocalcaneal
misalignment, and finally, satisfying clinical and functional outcome.

The primary objective is to evaluate clinical hindfoot outcome (e.g. pain,
function, alignment) in patients that underwent subtalar joint arthrodesis due
to painful post-traumatic subtalar joint osteoarthritis following operative
treatment of an intra-articular calcaneal fracture.
We hypothesize that subtalar joint arthrodesis results in painless, satisfying
hindfoot function.
Secondarily, the radiological outcome and dynamic gait pattern will be
evaluated, by comparing the affected foot to the unaffected contralateral side.

Follow-up case series

Patient burden/risk:

On participation, the patient will visit the outpatient department once (half a
day), for:
* Conventional radiology (total radiation 0.006 Msv, therefore minimal risk)
* Dynamic foot analysis (no risk)
* Questionnaire completion and physical examination foot (no risk)

Patient benefit:
* Re-examination of operated foot
* Possibility to address symptoms/problems
* Possibility to initiate treatment if necessary