Subtalar arthroereisis for the treatment of the symptomatic paediatric flexible pes planus: a systematic review. Issue 2 (February 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Smith, Christian; Zaidi, Razi; Bhamra, Jagmeet; Bridgens, Anna; Wek, Caesar; Kokkinakis, Michail
• Is Part Of: EFORT open reviews. Volume 6:Issue 2(2021)
• Page Start: 118
• Page End: 129
• Publication Date: 2021-02
• Subjects: arthroereisis -- flatfoot -- flexible -- paediatric -- pes planus; Orthopedics -- Periodicals; Musculoskeletal system -- Periodicals; Musculoskeletal system -- Wounds and injuries -- Periodicals; 616.7
• DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.6.200076
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2058-5241

Abstract

Abstract : Subtalar arthroereisis has a controversial history and has previously been associated with high failure rates and excessive complications. A database search for outcomes of arthroereisis for the treatment of symptomatic paediatric flexible pes planus provided 24 articles which were included in this review, with a total of 2550 feet operated on. Post-operative patient-reported outcome measures recorded marked improvement. Patient satisfaction was reported as excellent in 79.9%, and poor in 5.3%. All radiological measurements demonstrated improvement towards the normal range following arthroereisis, as did hindfoot valgus, supination, dorsiflexion and Viladot grade. Complications were reported in 7.1% of cases, with a reoperation rate of 3.1%. Arthroereisis as a treatment for symptomatic paediatric flexible pes planus produces favourable outcomes and high patient satisfaction rates with a reasonable risk profile. There is still a great deal of negativity and literature highlighting the complications and failures of arthroereisis, especially for older implants. The biggest flaws in the collective literature are the lack of high-quality prospective studies, a paucity of long-term data and the heterogeneity of utilized outcome measures between studies. Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2021;6:118-129. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.6.200076