Chopart arthrodesis with graft bone from the iliac crest after a traumatic subamputation of the forefoot: surgical technique

We present a 49-year-old man with a traumatic subamputation of the forefoot, associated with lacerated wound in correspondence of the dorsal surface of the right foot, with injuries of tendinous, ligamentous and vascular structures and with the loss of talus head. The patient underwent salvage arthrodesis of the talonavicular and calcanealcuboid joints with graft bone harvested from the iliac crest. The patient was re-evaluated during a clinical and radiographic follow-up. The arthrodesis was consolidated in ∼3 months. There were no infectious problems and the patient has resumed normal work activities. At a sixth month follow-up, the patient had returned to work and remained pain free while walking. Early anatomic reduction, stable fixation and ligament reconstruction are essential for a good outcome. Primary arthrodesis is a viable option for severe midfoot fracture dislocations, because it facilitates rehabilitation and functional recovery and obviates the need for a secondary arthrodesis should arthritis arise.