Isolated talonavicular arthrodesis and talonavicular-cuneiform arthrodesis for the Müller-Weiss disease

BACKGROUND The study aimed to introduce the isolated talonavicular and talonavicular-cuneiform arthrodesis for the stage III and IV Müller-Weiss disease and analyze their clinical outcomes. METHODS Thirty patients of stage III and IV Müller-Weiss disease were divided into the talonavicular (TN) arthrodesis group and the talonavicular-cuneiform (TNC) arthrodesis group according to the perinavicular osteoarthritis by MRI scans. For the isolated talonavicular arthrodesis group, 16 patients underwent talonavicular arthrodesis with two 4.0 mm hollow headless compression screws. For the TNC arthrodesis group, 14 patients were received the TNC arthrodesis with reverse "V" shape osteotomy and autoallergic iliac bone graft. All patients were followed up at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months, and per 6 months after 1 year, by the AOFAS ankle-midfoot scores, and evaluated by radiographic measurements. RESULTS All of them were followed up in two groups and all patients were satisfied with their clinical results. At the TN arthrodesis group, the patients' mean was 39.8 months (range, 11-66 months) follow-up. The mean AOFAS ankle and hindfoot scores had improved from 38.3 ± 5.1 preoperatively to 88.9 ± 1.9 at the last postoperative assessment. At the TNC arthrodesis group, the mean follow-up was 51.7 months (range, 12-90 months). The mean AOFAS ankle and hindfoot scores were 40.1 ± 7.9 preoperatively to 90.1 ± 2.0 at the last postoperative. All of the cases were solid fusion on the radiograph. CONCLUSIONS According to MRI evaluation, either TN or TNC arthrodesis for stage III or IV Müller-Weiss disease have the good clinical outcomes with solid fusion rate and obvious improvement of the quality of life of patients.