hindfoot procedures

Triple arthrodesis

Exposure of calcaneocuboid and subtalar joints

·      make a curved incision over the dorsolateral aspect of the foot

·      from the talonavicular joint dorsally

·      to 2.5 cm inferior to the lateral malleolus

·      expose and protect the

·      dorsolateral branch of the superficial peroneal nerve

·      inferior extensor retinaculum

·      lateral border of the peroneus tertius tendon

·      incise the inferior retinaculum at right angles to its fibres

·      at the lateral border of the peroneus tertius tendon

·      detach the extensor digitorum brevis from its origin on the calcaneus

·      diathermy the branches of the lateral tarsal artery

·      open the lateral aspect of the talonavicular joint

·      incise the capsule laterally

·      incise the calcaneonavicular limb of the bifurcate ligament inferiorly

·      open the calcaneocuboid joint

·      incise the capsule dorsally and laterally

·      incise the calcaneocuboid limb of the bifurcate ligament

·      open the posterior facet of the subtalar joint

·      release the deep projections of the inferior extensor retinaculum

·      release the cervical ligament

·      incise the anterior joint capsule of the posterior talocalcaneal joint

·      open the joint and release the interosseous talocalcaneal ligament

·      spread joint with laminar spreaders

·      remove the anterior projection of the calcaneus

·      helps expose the calcaneocuboid joint and sinus tarsi

·      denude the calcaneocuboid joint of cartilage

·      distract the subtalar joint and denude it of cartilage

·      denude all three facets

·      use curved and flexible osteotomes to remove cartilage

·      preserve subchondral bone and shape of bony surfaces

Exposure of the talonavicular joint

·      make a medial incision

·      from 1 cm distal to medial malleolus

·      to level of navicular-first cuneiform joint

·      expose and protect the saphenous vein and nerve

·      open the talonavicular joint dorsally, medially and inferiorly

·      denude the joint of cartilage

·      use curved and flexible osteotomes

Position and internal fixation

·      curved bony surfaces allow subtle adjustment of position

·      correct position of foot

·      insert 2 large K wires across the talonavicular and calcaneocuboid joints

·      insert screw across subtalar joint

·      from just posterior to lateral tubercle upwards forwards and medially

·      if use cannulated screw, can insert guidewire first and check position

·      check position of foot visually and obtain x-ray

·      aim for

·      valgus of calcaneus (5-7o)

·      plantigrade foot

·      cast for 12 weeks

Calcaneal displacement osteotomy

·      patient prone

·      make an oblique incision

·      from lateral border of tendo Achilles

·      to inferior border of distal end of calcaneus

·      protect the sural nerve

·      do not enter the peroneal sheath

·      expose the superior and inferior surfaces of the calcaneus

·      use a drill to make several bicortical holes

·      obliquely from 1 cm posterior to posterior talus

·      to 1 cm distal to calcaneal tuberosity

·      complete the osteotomy

·      displace the posterior fragment medially

·      1/3 to 1/2 of width of calcaneus

·      until medial border in line with sustentaculum tali

·      hold osteotomy with cannulated screw

·      cast for 6 weeks