Subtalar joint arthrodesis for postpoliomyelitis valgus foot deformity.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of full versus partial subperiosteal fibular bone graft for subtalar joint arthrodesis in patients with pes planovalgus foot deformity associated with residual polio myelitis. A prospective study was carried out on 16 patients with postpoliomyelitis valgus foot deformity secondary to invertor muscle paralysis. All patients were treated by peroneal tendon transfer to the medial metatarsals and subtalar extra-articular arthrodesis. In 12 patients, subperiosteal partial fibular graft was used, while four patients received a full fibular graft. Patients were followed for an average of 2.5 years following surgery and were assessed using Axer's criteria. Partial fibular subperiosteal bone grafts (n = 12) were not associated with any major biomechanical sequalae of the ankle and foot, while full fibula grafts had 75% (n = 4) adverse sequelae.