• BACKGROUND
    • Traditionally, pediatric patients with symptomatic calcaneonavicular coalitions have been treated with resection of the coalition and interposition of the origin of the extensor digitorum brevis muscle. Despite the success of calcaneonavicular coalition resection in children, many surgeons are reluctant to perform this procedure in adults or in patients with osseous coalitions, and joint sacrificing arthrodesis often is done instead.
  • METHODS
    • Seven adult patients (eight feet) had calcaneonavicular coalition resection with extensor digitorum brevis interposition. The average patient age was 41 years, and all patients displayed isolated, symptomatic calcaneonavicular coalitions without any radiographic evidence of degenerative arthritis. At followup, physical and radiographic evaluations were performed, and an American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Ankle-Hindfoot score was recorded. Charts were reviewed for complications and patients were questioned with regards to their overall satisfaction with the surgery.
  • RESULTS
    • At a mean postoperative followup of 56.5 months, the average AOFAS score was 87. Review of most recent radiographs revealed no degenerative changes or recurrence of the coalition. All patients responded that they would have this surgery again and that they would recommend this procedure to a friend. Complications included one superficial infection and one dysesthesia involving the sural nerve.
  • CONCLUSIONS
    • The results of the present study suggest that resection combined with muscular interposition can be successful in patients over the age of 18 in whom conservative management of their symptomatic coalitions has failed. This procedure offers an excellent alternative to arthrodesis and has a very low complication rate.