Medial displacement calcaneal osteotomy: Loss of correction with varying drilling techniques

Abstract

IntroductionJoint preserving surgery for flatfoot reconstruction utilizes correction of bony malalignment and medial soft tissue reconstruction. A medial displacement calcaneal osteotomy (MDCO) can be an essential adjunct to deformity correction and good patient outcomes. Our cadaveric study compares three different surgical techniques utilizing two cannulated screws to best maintain medial translation of the calcaneal osteotomies. Materials and methodsFifteen above knee fresh-frozen, matched pair cadaveric specimens (30 limbs) were randomized equally to three groups. MDCO were performed on all specimens, followed by manual 10 mm translation. The groups consisted of a “simultaneous drilling,” “staggered drilling,” and a control group, which involved simultaneous drilling of only the near cortex. Following screw fixation, the calcaneal tuberosity was manually translated in a lateral direction. The loss of correction was measured in millimeters. ResultsThe “simultaneous” drilling group experienced the greatest mean loss of correction at 2.6 mm (range 1.37–3.48 mm). The “staggered” group showed an average loss of 1.16 mm (range 0.36–2.67 mm). The control group demonstrated the greatest maintenance of correction with a mean loss of 0.036 mm (range 0.01–0.06 mm). ConclusionsMDCO realigns the hindfoot adding support to the medial soft tissue reconstruction during flatfoot correction. Loss of initial correction may result in residual deformity and poor long-term outcomes. Our study demonstrates that simultaneous drilling of only the tuberosity near cortex prior to screw fixation was the best at maintaining osteotomy correction. Level of evidence: Level V, Cadaveric study