Triple Arthrodesis: A Long-term Study with Force Plate Analysis

Abstract

This study evaluated triple arthrodesis at late follow-up using the liquid crystal force plate and standard clinical methods. Twenty-four patients with 36 triple arthrodeses were followed-up at an average of 8 ± 2 years. Fifty-eight per cent of patients achieved an ideal or good rating with 11% failures. Failures were due to inadequate surgical correction of varus deformity. Seven per cent of joints with roentgenographic degenerative changes had associated mild pain. Triple arthrodesis produced many deviations from normal load-bearing: 1) calcaneovalgus residuals produced symptomatic posterior heel force concentrations; 2) residual forefoot supination produced symptomatic force concentrations under the fifth metatarsal and toe; 3) residual forefoot pronation produced increased midfoot and medial metatarsal load-bearing, generally asymptomatic; and 3) a significant increase in midfoot weightbearing occurred in most triple arthrodesis patients.