In Advanced Isolated Subtalar Arthritis, Posterior Arthroscopic Subtalar Arthrodesis Reduced Time to Union, But Not Union Rate, Compared with Open Subtalar Arthrodesis

Setting: 2 hospitals in Bangkok, Thailand. Patients: 56 patients ‡18 years of age (mean age, 51 years; 79% men) who had end-stage subtalar arthritis confirmed with weight-bearing radiography or computed tomography (CT), a positive diagnostic lidocaine-injection test, history of sinus tarsi pain, limited subtalar motion, and poor response to ‡6 months of nonoperative treatment. Exclusion criteria were substantial arthritis of adjacent joints, peroneal tendon pathology, need for supplemental bone grafts for bone loss, substantial subtalar joint malalignment, need for calcaneal slide osteotomy or coalition resection for tarsal coalition, or simultaneous surgery in foot or ankle regions. 100% of patients completed follow-up.