Triple arthrodesis of the foot after calcaneal fractures. Twelve patients treated using K wires stabilization.

The most frequent problem following intra-articular calcaneal fracture is pain from the subtalar joint. Subtalar arthrodesis is not considered to be an optimal solution because it can lead to degenerative changes in the ankle joint. The aim of this study was to evaluate patients with such fractures treated by triple arthrodesis. The treated group consisted of 12 patients (5 female, 7 male) with no bilateral fractures. The mean age at injury was 36 years (22-54). The patients had surgery 2 years on average after injury. In all cases the arthrodesis was stabilized with Kirschner wires. The follow-up ranged from 1 to 5 years (average 2.9 ± 1.4). In 2 feet the calcaneal fracture was associated with a fracture of the talus. At clinical evaluation the Ankle-Hindfoot Scale (AOFAS) was applied. From the 100 point scale the question concerning movement in the subtalar joint was removed which made the scale range from 0 to 94 points. Postoperative scoring ranged from 19 to 92 points (mean 57.3 ± 25.1). The patients also evaluated the result of treatment on a visual analogue scale from 0 to 10 points which gave a mean score of 7.7 ± 2.2. Early results of the treatment of calcaneal fractures by triple arthrodesis show that this is valuable method for the prevention of significant foot pain.