Subtalar Arthrodesis Using the Cannulated Compression Screw

유관 압박나사를 이용한 거골하 관절유합술

Purpose: To analyze the overall clinical outcome, overall assessment, and patient's satisfaction rate of subtalar arthrodesis using the cannulated compression screw. Materials and Methods: This study is based on 17 patients, 17 feet who underwent subtalar arthrodesis using the cannulated compression screw from March, 1997 to March, 2004 with at least 1 year follow-up. The average follow-up period was 33.0 months (12 to 72 months). Functional results were assessed using the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Ankle-Hindfoot (AOFAS) score, and Visual Analysis Scale (VAS) pain score, patients' returning to previous occupation and patients' satisfaction rate were also evaluated. Results: The mean AOFAS scores at final follow-up were 80.4 points (range $66{\sim}92$). The satisfactory rates were as follow. Thirteen patients (76.4%) were at least satisfied with surgical result at final follow-up. Patients' VAS pain score was average 2.8 points ($1{\sim}6$). Fourteen (82.3%) patients returned to previous job at mean postoperative period of 11.3 months (range 3-18 months). Patients' work efficiency after returning to previous occupation was 68.7% (range $33{\sim}100%$). There were 9 complications which were 3 cases of sural nerve injury, 1 case of valgus malunion, and 5 cases of the hindfoot residual pain. Conclusion: We obtained the satisfactory functional results with relatively high patient satisfaction rate of 76%. So we conclude that subtalar arthrodesis using the cannulated compression screw is a reliable method for addressing the painful end-stage subtalar osteoarthritis and unreconstructible comminuted calcaneal fractures. However we also found out that average 11 months were necessary for patients to return to their job.