Surgical Management of Symptomatic Adult Pes Planovalgus Secondary to Stage 2B Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction: A Comparison of Two Different Surgical Treatments

Background This study compares radiological and functional outcomes of patients with symptomatic Adult Acquired Flat Foot Deformity (AFFD) secondary to stage 2B Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction (PTTD) treated with either a Subtalar Arthroereisis (SA) implant or a Lateral Column Lengthening (LCL) procedure. The aim of the study is to determine if the Subtalar Arthroereisis procedure is an acceptable surgical adjunct in our treatment armamentarium. Materials and Methods 21 patients (22 feet) were evaluated. 12 consecutive patients ( n = 12) underwent a Subtalar Arthroereisis procedure while 9 patients ( n = 10) underwent a Lateral Column Lengthening procedure. Functional outcomes were evaluated using the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Score (AOFAS) midfoot score, Short Form 36 (SF-36) and Visual Analog of Pain Scale (VAS), preoperatively and at 6 and 12 months postoperatively. 10 radiological parameters were analyzed. All complications were tabulated. Results Significant improvements in functional outcomes were noted in both groups of patients. Radiographically, some loss of correction was noted in the SA group and no loss of correction in the LCL group, respectively. In the SA group, 6 patients complained of sinus tarsi pain in the postoperative period and 4 required removal of implants. No implants were removed in the LCL group. Conclusion The results suggest that subtalar arthroereisis may be a reasonable procedure to utilize in the treatment of AAFD, albeit with a relatively high implant-removal rate.