The efficacy of derotation of talus and medial column fusion for Müller-Weiss disease / 中华骨科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective@#To explore the mid-term efficacy of derotation of talus and medial column fusion for stage II-V Müller-Weiss disease (MWD).@*Methods@#Data of thirty-six patients (38 feet) with MWD treated by derotation of talus and talona-vicular (TN) or talonavicular-cuneiform (TNC) arthrodesis in our center during January 2008 to December 2016 were retrospective-ly analyzed. There were 3 males (3 feet) and 33 females (35 feet) with an average age of 54.0±9.2 years old (range, 32-80 years old); there were 11 right feet and 27 left feet. According to Maceira and Rochera staging system, there were 9 stage II cases, 11 stage III cases, 10 stage IV cases and 8 stage V cases. The external rotation of talus was intensively focused. After the TN articular surface was debrided, an "H" shape plate and a hollow lag screw were used to firmly fix the TN or TNC joint. American Orthopae-dic Foot and Ankle Society Scale (AOFAS), visual analog scale (VAS) and relative radiological parameters were evaluated preoper-atively and during follow-up.@*Results@#The mean follow-up duration was 37.2 months (range, 25-113 months). The latest follow-up showed satisfactory outcomes. Overall, AOFAS score was improved from 41.3±11.3 points (range, 20-56 points) preoperatively to 85.5±7.1 points (range, 68-100 points) postoperatively (Z=5.16, P< 0.001), and the VAS score was reduced from 5.6±1.5 points (range, 3-8 points) preoperatively to 0.8±1.2 points (range, 0-4 points) postoperatively (Z=5.19, P< 0.001). These differences of functional score and pain evaluation were statistically significant. The Tomeno-Méary angle decreased from-6.6°±12.2° to 0.5°±2.9° (Z=3.43, P=0.001); the calcaneal pitch angle increased from 13.5°±3.9° to 22.1°±3.4°(t=10.12, P< 0.001), and the talarnavic-ular coverage angle decreased from 27.1°±5.9° to 7.6°±3.3°(Z=5.16, P< 0.001). The AP talar-first metatarsal angle decreased from-16.0°±10.7° to-7.0°±8.5°(t=5.49, P< 0.001). The differences of radiological parameters were statistically significant.@*Conclusion@#The mid-term results showed that the TN or TNC joint fusion could achieve a favorable clinical and radiological outcome for MWD patients. Even for the patients with severe deformities (stage II-V), such treatment strategy could also achieve satisfacto-ry deformity correction and functional improvement. Intraoperative restoration of talus rotation is the key to normal alignment of the subtalar joint/TN joint.