Corrective arthrodesis to treat sequelae of compartment syndrome and ischaemic syndromes of lower leg and foot.

BACKGROUND There is a scarcity of studies concerning the treatment of foot and talocrural deformities secondary to a compartment syndrome or ischaemia. MATERIAL AND METHODS Five patients (4 males and 1 female) were treated by talocrural arthrodesis (1 foot) and triple tarsal arthrodesis (4 feet) due to equinovarus foot deformity secondary to compartment syndrome or ischaemia. The age at surgery ranged 28 to 50 years (mean 39 years). The deformity was a sequela to compartment syndrome due to an injury in 3 patients, popliteal artery damage in one male patient, and an embolism in the femoral artery during hip arthroplasty in one female patient. The evaluation of the results was based on the AOFAS Ankle-Hindfoot Scale functional scoring system and a subjective assessment of treatment outcomes according to a 10-grade scale (from 0 [worst] to 10 [best], no visualization). RESULTS A complete correction of the deformity was achieved in 4 patients. A superficial infection and a prolonged healing process of the post-operative wound after the surgery occurred only in one (female) patient. The same patient had a slight persistent varus deformity in the rigid talocrural joint. The mean post-operative AOFAS score was 66.4 (35-86) and 8.4 (5-10) in the subjective scale. CONCLUSIONS Corrective arthrodesis is an effective method of correction of foot deformities secondary to compartment syndrome and ischaemic syndromes. No significant post-operative complications were noted.