Clinical Rating Systems for the Ankle-Hindfoot, Midfoot, Hallux, and Lesser Toes

A functional assessment of twelve patients after ankle arthrodesis for post-traumatic arthritis was carried out by means of an extensive clinical evaluation and gait analysis after an average follow-up of eight years. A weighted point system was developed to grade ankle function clinically. The data on gait analysis were examined to determine the effect of arthrodesis of the ankle on the over-all pattern of walking. Under conditions of normal daily living while wearing shoes, all patients functioned well after arthrodesis. The gait-analysis data obtained with the patients wearing shoes showed excellent gait characteristics, and the ankle motion that had been lost was compensated for by: (1) motion of the small joints of the ipsilateral foot; (2) altered motion of the ankle in the contralateral limb; and (3) appropriate footwear. While the patients were walking barefooted, some adverse effects of fusion of the ankle were evident. Velocity of gait was slowed and the length of stride was shortened in all twelve patients. One patient whose ankle had been fused in an equinus position had a back-knee deformity during stance phase, and another walked only on his toes when he was without shoes. The gait patterns of all patients were markedly improved when they were wearing shoes with appropriate heel heights.

Thirteen consecutive patients underwent plantar fasciotomy in 16 feet for intractable plantar fasciitis and had follow-up from 4.5 to 15 years. Plantar fasciotomy was successful (good or excellent results) for 71% of the 14 feet operated on and for which follow-up data were available. However, time to full recovery was prolonged, additional treatment was frequently required, and abnormalities of foot function persisted. Flattening of the longitudinal arch occurred. Dynamic force-plate studies showed differences in peak vertical, fore-aft, and lateral-medial forces between patients and matched controls. More rapid progression of weightbearing along the longitudinal axis of the foot during stance phase in patients indicated avoidance of heel loading.

Thirty-eight ankles in 36 patients who underwent fusion for failed total ankle arthroplasty were reviewed. Twenty-two patients were women and 14 were men, and their mean age was 56.8 years. The fusion methods performed in the 38 ankles were malleolar resection in 13, intercalated bone graft in 20, and posterior tibiotalocalcaneal fusion in 5. Fixation was external in 36 ankles and internal in 2. Bone graft was used in 32 ankles. Union was achieved in 33 ankles (89%). The average duration of the follow-up period in 29 patients (31 ankles) was 8.3 years (range, 2-14.4 years). Patients had no or mild pain in 24 ankles (80%). Complications occurred in five ankles (13%). Failed total ankle arthroplasty may be successfully salvaged by arthrodesis.