--- title: "Subtalar joint arthrodesis using a single lag screw. | Sutter Health" description: "Using a single 7.0-mm lag screw across the posterior facet of the subtalar joint results in fusion of the subtalar joint in 98% of patients. A prior ankle arthrodesis delays the time to fusion of the subtalar joint by 3 weeks. This is a simple and reliable technique for achieving fusion of the subtalar joint." url: "https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/subtalar-joint-arthrodesis-use-one-lag-screw-1055312972" --- 1. [Home](https://www.sutterhealth.org/) / 2. [Research](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research) / 3. [Research publications](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications) / 4. Subtalar joint arthrodesis using a single lag screw. # Subtalar joint arthrodesis using a single lag screw. Haskell A, Pfeiff C, & Mann R. _Foot Ankle Int. 25(11):774-7._ 2004-11-01 ## Abstract BACKGROUND: This study tested the hypotheses that fusing the subtalar joint with a single lag screw from the posteroinferior calcaneus to the anterior talar neck is an effective technique and that factors affecting the time to fusion can be identified. METHODS: Between October, 1995, and July, 2002, the senior author (RAM) performed 101 isolated subtalar arthrodeses using a technique of single lag-screw fixation from posteroinferior to anterosuperior across the posterior facet of the subtalar joint combined with the application of an autograft taken from the floor of the sinus tarsi and anterior process. The average patient age was 52 (range 17 to 82) years. There were 52 women (53 arthrodeses) and 48 men (48 arthrodeses). Eight of 101 (8%) arthrodeses were revisions. The indications included posttraumatic arthritis (45), posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (18), failed prior ankle joint fusion (14), idiopathic disorders (12), hindfoot coalition (7), rheumatoid arthritis (3), and Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (2). Fifteen of 101 patients (15%) smoked an average of 0.9 +/- 0.5 pack of cigarettes per day. RESULTS: Two of 101 joints did not fuse, resulting in an overall fusion rate of 98%. The average time to fusion was 12.3 +/- 3.4 weeks. The presence of a prior ankle fusion significantly prolonged the time to fusion of the subtalar joint (11.9 +/- 2.3 vs. 14.9 +/- 7.0, p = .003). Other factors, including smoking, revision surgery, patient age, and patient sex, did not affect time to fusion. The fixation screw was removed in 13 of 101 (13%) joints at an average of 8.8 +/- 0.5 months. CONCLUSIONS: Using a single 7.0-mm lag screw across the posterior facet of the subtalar joint results in fusion of the subtalar joint in 98% of patients. A prior ankle arthrodesis delays the time to fusion of the subtalar joint by 3 weeks. This is a simple and reliable technique for achieving fusion of the subtalar joint. [PubMed abstract](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15574234) ![Andrew Haskell, M.D.](https://dyn.mktgcdn.com/p/e19Z0QwiEJVIawTe_Uey_VlyYexupaSsdn87lO6XoJk/fit=crop,gravity=auto,dpr=2,width=188,height=250,quality=100) Andrew Haskell, M.D. Principal investigator [View profile](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/investigators/andrew-haskell-md-1049681101) ## Research topics - [Disease Management](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?query=%22%5C%22Disease+Management%5C%22%22) - [Musculoskeletal Disorders](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?query=%22%5C%22Musculoskeletal+Disorders%5C%22%22) ## Related publications [View all publications](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?verticalKey=research_publication) - Publication ### [Clinically relevant effectiveness of focused extracorporeal shock wave therapy in the treatment of chronic plantar fasciitis: a randomized, controlled multicenter study.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/extracorporeal-shock-wave-tx-plantar-fasciitis-1055312428) Gollwitzer H, Saxena A, DiDomenico LA, Galli L, Bouché RT, Caminear DS, Fullem B, Vester JC, Horn C, Banke IJ, Burgkart R, Gerdesmeyer L. 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Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 139(3):482; author reply 482. doi: 10.1016/j.otohns.2008.05.629. 2008 Sep 01 - Publication ### [Percutaneous ultrasonic tenotomy for Achilles tendinopathy is a surgical procedure with similar complications.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/percutaneous-ultrasonic-tenotomy-for-achilles-tendinopathy-1055312483) Sanchez PJ, Grady JF, Saxena A. J Foot Ankle Surg. 56(5):982-984. doi: 10.1053/j.jfas.2017.06.015. 2017 Sep 01 - Publication ### [Medial locking plate versus screw fixation for fixation of the Ludloff osteotomy.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/lock-plate-vs-screw-ludloff-osteotomy-1055312352) Saxena A, St Louis M. J Foot Ankle Surg. 52(2):153-7. doi: 10.1053/j.jfas.2012.11.005. Epub 2013 Jan 16. 2013 Mar 01 [View all publications](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?verticalKey=research_publication) ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"MedicalOrganization","name":"Sutter Health","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/#medicalorganization","url":"https://www.sutterhealth.org","logo":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/static/images/sutter-health-logo.svg","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","streetAddress":"2200 River Plaza Drive","addressLocality":"Sacramento","addressRegion":"CA","postalCode":"95833","addressCountry":"US"},"areaServed":{"@type":"AdministrativeArea","name":"California"},"sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/SutterHealth","https://www.instagram.com/sutterhealth/","https://x.com/SutterHealth","https://www.youtube.com/sutterhealth","https://www.linkedin.com/company/sutter-health","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sutter_Health"]} ``` ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/subtalar-joint-arthrodesis-use-one-lag-screw-1055312972#breadcrumblist","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Research","item":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Research publications","item":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":4,"name":"Subtalar joint arthrodesis using a single lag screw."}]} ``` ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"MedicalScholarlyArticle","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/subtalar-joint-arthrodesis-use-one-lag-screw-1055312972#medicalscholarlyarticle","name":"Subtalar joint arthrodesis using a single lag screw.","headline":"Subtalar joint arthrodesis using a single lag screw.","abstract":"BACKGROUND: This study tested the hypotheses that fusing the subtalar joint with a single lag screw from the posteroinferior calcaneus to the anterior talar neck is an effective technique and that factors affecting the time to fusion can be identified. METHODS: Between October, 1995, and July, 2002, the senior author (RAM) performed 101 isolated subtalar arthrodeses using a technique of single lag-screw fixation from posteroinferior to anterosuperior across the posterior facet of the subtalar joint combined with the application of an autograft taken from the floor of the sinus tarsi and anterior process. The average patient age was 52 (range 17 to 82) years. There were 52 women (53 arthrodeses) and 48 men (48 arthrodeses). Eight of 101 (8%) arthrodeses were revisions. The indications included posttraumatic arthritis (45), posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (18), failed prior ankle joint fusion (14), idiopathic disorders (12), hindfoot coalition (7), rheumatoid arthritis (3), and Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (2). Fifteen of 101 patients (15%) smoked an average of 0.9 +/- 0.5 pack of cigarettes per day. RESULTS: Two of 101 joints did not fuse, resulting in an overall fusion rate of 98%. The average time to fusion was 12.3 +/- 3.4 weeks. The presence of a prior ankle fusion significantly prolonged the time to fusion of the subtalar joint (11.9 +/- 2.3 vs. 14.9 +/- 7.0, p = .003). Other factors, including smoking, revision surgery, patient age, and patient sex, did not affect time to fusion. The fixation screw was removed in 13 of 101 (13%) joints at an average of 8.8 +/- 0.5 months. CONCLUSIONS: Using a single 7.0-mm lag screw across the posterior facet of the subtalar joint results in fusion of the subtalar joint in 98% of patients. A prior ankle arthrodesis delays the time to fusion of the subtalar joint by 3 weeks. This is a simple and reliable technique for achieving fusion of the subtalar joint.","description":"Using a single 7.0-mm lag screw across the posterior facet of the subtalar joint results in fusion of the subtalar joint in 98% of patients. A prior ankle arthrodesis delays the time to fusion of the subtalar joint by 3 weeks. This is a simple and reliable technique for achieving fusion of the subtalar joint.","keywords":["Disease Management","Musculoskeletal Disorders"],"datePublished":"2004-11-01","url":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/subtalar-joint-arthrodesis-use-one-lag-screw-1055312972","inLanguage":"en-US","identifier":[{"@type":"PropertyValue","propertyID":"PMID","value":"15574234"}],"sameAs":["https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15574234/"],"isPartOf":{"@type":"Periodical","name":"Foot Ankle Int"},"author":[{"@type":"Person","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/investigators/andrew-haskell-md-1049681101","name":"Haskell A","url":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/investigators/andrew-haskell-md-1049681101"},{"@type":"Person","name":"Pfeiff C"},{"@type":"Person","name":"Mann R"}],"sourceOrganization":{"@type":"MedicalOrganization","name":"Palo Alto Medical Foundation Research Institute"},"about":[{"@type":"DefinedTerm","name":"Disease Management","url":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?facets=%5B%7B%22i%22%3A%22c_researchTopics.name%22%2C%22v%22%3A%5B%22Disease+Management%22%5D%7D%5D&verticalKey=research_publication"},{"@type":"DefinedTerm","name":"Musculoskeletal Disorders","url":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?facets=%5B%7B%22i%22%3A%22c_researchTopics.name%22%2C%22v%22%3A%5B%22Musculoskeletal+Disorders%22%5D%7D%5D&verticalKey=research_publication"}],"mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/subtalar-joint-arthrodesis-use-one-lag-screw-1055312972","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/subtalar-joint-arthrodesis-use-one-lag-screw-1055312972#breadcrumblist"}}} ```