This is a plain-English translation of the academic paper above, prepared for patients, referring clinicians, and other non-specialist readers. It preserves the structure of the original paper while removing technical jargon. For the full clinical paper, follow the PubMed or DOI links.
Background
A different surgical approach for the operation called subtalar distraction bone-block arthrodesis — fusing the joint just below the ankle — coming in from the inside of the foot rather than the more usual outside.
Rationale
The traditional approach to this operation comes in from the lateral (outside) of the foot. The lateral skin is fragile, and patients with previous injury, scarring, or infection on that side can have unacceptable wound risks. We needed an alternative for those cases.
What did we describe
A medial (inside) approach to the subtalar joint that allows the same operation to be performed when the lateral skin isn’t suitable. The key surgical landmarks and the safe planes of dissection are described in the paper.
Implications
If you need this fusion operation but your lateral foot skin has been compromised by prior injury or surgery, the medial approach is a safe alternative your surgeon can use to avoid the wound risks.
Source: Haldar A, Heidari N, Malagelada F. Medial approach for subtalar distraction bone block arthrodesis. Foot (Edinburgh) 2021;49:101848. PMID: 34583132.
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