The goal of this study was to compare results with arthroscopic posterior subtalar arthrodesis between patients treated for adult-acquired flatfoot deformity (AAFD) due to posterior tibial tendon dysfunction and patients with posttraumatic subtalar arthritis. Retrospective case series of 61 consecutive patients (group 1: posttraumatic arthritis, n = 37; group 2: AAFD, n = 24) averaging 49 years of age (range, 21-72 years) undergoing posterior arthroscopic subtalar arthrodesis via 1 or 2 percutaneous 6.5- to 7.3-mm screws, with a mean follow-up of 57.5 months (range, 24-105 months). Fusion was defined as the appearance of bony trabeculae across the subtalar joint on standard x-rays, along with clinical signs of union. Patients with posttraumatic arthritis (group 1) were more predominantly male and younger than patients treated for AAFD (group 2). Overall, we achieved a 95.1% radiologic union rate after an average of 11.7 weeks. Complications appeared in 14.8% of patients. Union rate and complications did not differ significantly between groups. American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) scores improved significantly for both patient groups, although patients with AAFD showed significantly larger improvement and higher postoperative AOFAS scores, even after adjusting for age and sex (mean improvement in AOFAS scores: 27.0 ± 9.1 points for the posttraumatic arthritis group vs 34.9 ± 7.4 points for the AAFD group; P < .001). Arthroscopic subtalar arthrodesis was a safe and reliable technique, with consistent improvement in AOFAS scores throughout different patient subgroups, as well as comparable time to union and complication rates. Improvements were larger for patients treated for AAFD, even after adjusting for age and sex. Level III, retrospective case series.

Bone marrow stimulation (BMS) techniques represent the first‐line treatment for unstable osteochondral lesions of the talus or after conservative treatment failure. These techniques are intended to penetrate the subchondral bone to elicit bleeding and allow precursor cells and cytokines from bone marrow to populate the lesion. However, the fibrocartilaginous repair tissue arising after marrow stimulation confers inferior mechanical and biological properties compared with the original hyaline cartilage. The limitations of BMS can be overcome by the use of the soluble chitosan‐based polymer BST‐CarGel (Piramal Life Sciences, Laval, Quebec, Canada). When mixed with freshly drawn autologous whole blood and applied to a lesion surgically prepared by BMS, BST‐CarGel acts as a natural bioscaffold that increases the quantity and improves the residency of the blood clot formed in the cartilage lesion, enhancing the local healing response. The use of BST‐CarGel has been previously described in the knee and hip joints with successful results. We describe the arthroscopic technique for BST‐CarGel application in combination with BMS techniques for the treatment of osteochondral lesions of the talus. Technique Video: video See video under supplementary data.

Injuries of the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis are commonly overlooked or mismanaged, and chronic instability is a debilitating condition leading to premature joint degeneration. Several methods of treatment have been described, mainly screw fixation, arthrodesis, or ligament reconstruction. Most clinical evidence is limited to case series, mainly screw fixation, and there is a general paucity of evidence regarding ligament reconstruction, which is considered to be more anatomic and to restore joint biomechanics. Most papers describe open techniques. We describe an original technique for all‐inside anatomic arthroscopic graft reconstruction of the anterior‐inferior tibiofibular ligament, which is simpler than other previously described reconstruction procedures. In addition to being performed through standard ankle arthroscopy portals, we believe this technique avoids potential complications. Technique Video: video See video under supplementary data.