Arthrodesis of the Fourth and Fifth Tarsometatarsal Joints of the Midfoot

Abstract

Maintaining mobility of the fourth and fifth tarsometatarsal joints has been reported to be important in arthrodesis of the midfoot. A review of the records at a tertiary care center of 23 patients (28 feet) with arthrodesis of these joints and a minimum 2-year follow-up showed that 22 complete midfoot arthrodeses were performed as part of the correction for a neuroarthropathic rockerbottom deformity. Six arthrodeses of the fourth and fifth metatarsal joints were performed on normosensate feet with painful arthritis involving the lateral joints. Clinical and radiographic fusion occurred in 26 of 28 feet. Comparing average preoperative and postoperative scores, functional incapacity from lateral midfoot pathology decreased (8.4/10 to 2.2/10), overall pain scores improved (5.1/10 to 1.3/10), pain scores in the arthritic subgroup decreased (8.2/10 to 2.4/10), and the modified overall AOFAS midfoot score improved (35/100 to 78/100).