Comparison of open isolated subtalar arthrodesis with autogenous bone graft versus outpatient arthroscopic subtalar arthrodesis using injectable bonemorphogenic protein-enhanced graft

Isolated subtalar joint arthrodesis is an established salvage procedure tha t can be performed in various ways for varying diagnoses. The purpose of th is article is to report a new arthroscopic subtalar arthrodesis technique t hat has been developed. The results of this method versus an open technique were compared. Length of hospital stay, tourniquet time, morbidity, and fusion rate were s tudied in 17 fusion patients between 1990 and 1997. Twelve patients had ope n arthrodesis with bone graft and 5 patients had arthroscopic arthrodesis w ith supplemental, injectable, osteoinductive enhanced-graft gel. The length of stay decreased 1.7 days with the arthroscopic procedure. Tour niquet time was not significantly different. One open procedure required re fusion, whereas none did in the arthroscopic group. One patient in each gro up required AO screw removal. In selected patients with subtalar arthrosis without significant hindfoot deformity, arthroscopic arthrodesis can be an effective. It is too early to determine if there are specific advantages in this procedure compared with a conventional open arthrodesis.