Tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis with a retrograde intramedullary nail

Abstract

Objective: Tibiotalocalcaneal (TTC) arthrodesis is used to salvage severe hindfoot arthritis and deformity. This study provides a prospective evaluation of ten consecutive patients undergoing TTC fusion with a retrograde intramedullary nail for a variety of conditions. Methods: All ten patients were evaluated using a variety of outcome measures including the visual analog scale (VAS), American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score, and a subjective satisfaction scale. The average followup was 15 months. Results: The average AOFAS score improved from 39 points preoperatively to 69 points postoperatively. The visual analog score decreased from 8.3 to 2.0 points. Six patients reported excellent results, three good, and one poor. Eighteen of 20 joints fused. There were two nonunions, one ankle and one subtalar. Conclusion: This study supports the use of a retrograde intramedullary nail for hindfoot salvage.