J. Karlsson et al., SUBTALAR INSTABILITY OF THE FOOT - A REVIEW AND RESULTS AFTER SURGICAL-TREATMENT, Scandinavian journal of medicine & science in sports, 8(4), 1998, pp. 191-197
Most subtalar ligamentous injuries occur in combination with ankle lig
ament injuries, but the exact aetiology and the true incidence remain
unknown. The aim of this study was to review the problem, propose a de
finition and to analyze the results of an anatomic reconstructive surg
ical technique in the treatment of subtalar instability. Twenty-two pa
tients suffering from chronic subtalar instability of the foot were op
erated with anatomical reconstruction. The cervical, the lateral talo-
calcaneal and the calcaneo-fibular ligaments were imbricated and reinf
orced with the lateral root of the inferior extensor retinaculum. Afte
r a minimum of 2 years follow-up the functional results were excellent
or good in 18 of 22 (82%) patients and fair or poor in 4 of 22 (18%).
All of the patients with unsatisfactory results suffered from residua
l ankle pain, two of whom also had residual instability No reoperation
s have been performed. Surgical complications were seen in three patie
nts, all minor nerve injuries of the lateral branch of the superficial
peroneal nerve. These complications had no bearing on the functional
results, however. This procedure was found to be feasible in patients
with chronic subtalar instability.