UNASSIGNED: Calcaneonavicular (CNC) and talocalcaneal (TCC) coalitions are the most common cause of rigid flatfoot in children. After resection, correction of the most frequent valgus-hindfoot deformity usually requires a second-step surgery. We report results of a retrospective study of patients treated with a one-step correction.
UNASSIGNED: Between 2008 and 2019, data were collected on 26 patients (19 male, 7 female) affected by CNC (n = 18) and TCC (n = 13), all with rigid symptomatic flatfeet. Average age at surgery was 12.5 ± 1.1 (SD) years (range, 9.8-15.2). All patients (26/26) underwent resection, 20 of 26 underwent at the same time subtalar extraarticular screw arthroereisis (SESA) for correction of residual hindfoot valgus deformity. Pre- and postoperative talocalcaneal angle according to Costa Bartani and Talar inclination angle in weightbearing were measured. Twenty-five of 26 patients had postoperative American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score.
UNASSIGNED: Pre- and postoperative talocalcaneal average angle for CNC was respectively 141.5 ± 7.7 degrees and 130.5 ± 5.2 degrees (P < .0001) and 143.7 ± 7.7 degrees and 129.7 ± 7.0 degrees (P < .0001) for TCC. Talar inclination average angle for CNC was 29.2 ± 5.3 degrees and 19.3 ± 1.6 degrees (P < .0001) and 31.2 ± 6.4 degrees and 21.4 ± 3.4 degrees (P < .0001) for TCC. Average follow-up (FU) was 4.7 ± 3.0 years (range, 6 months-11.9 years, median 4.9 years), with a mean age at FU of 17.2 ± 5.8 (SD) years (min 12.1, max 25.3, median 16.8 years). The mean AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score for CNC and for TCC was 96.6 (range 83-100) for resection and valgus correction as one-step procedure with no statistical difference (P = .5) between CNC and TCC. No patients had additional surgery for complications or recurrence.
UNASSIGNED: Symptomatic rigid flatfeet affected by CNC and TCC treated with coalition resection and minimally invasive subtalar arthroereisis (SESA) for residual hindfoot valgus correction in one step in adolescent age achieved good to excellent results in all cases. Further surgery to correct malalignment was avoided.
UNASSIGNED: Level IV, retrospective study.

In the presence of pain over the lateral aspect of the foot or recurrent ankle sprain in children, medical imaging is often employed to investigate potential causes, such as a calcaneonavicular coalition or a too-long anterior process (TLAP) of the calcaneus. Diagnosis and categorization of calcaneonavicular coalitions (synostosis, synchondrosis, or synfibrosis) is generally facilitated through imaging, in contrast to TLAP, which lacks well-defined semiological characteristics, apart from a calcaneonavicular space measurement of less than 5 mm. However, this measurement initially performed on an oblique view radiograph can be subject to a lack of precision due to positional variations of the foot and overlapping bones. Furthermore, the differentiation between TLAP as an anatomical variant and TLAP syndrome (characterized by symptomatic presentation), remains a subject of uncertainty.
The objective of our retrospective study was to investigate the imaging diagnosis of TLAP syndrome.
A retrospective unmatched case-control study was conducted, covering data from February 2014 to January 2021. All patients, included retrospectively and consecutively, were initially managed in our hospital with radiography and/or computed tomography (CT) and/or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Two radiologists independently reviewed the images taken (radiographs, CT scans, and MRIs) of patients undergoing treatment in pediatric orthopedics for TLAP syndrome and control subjects, utilizing a standardized questionnaire. The control group consisted of subjects with no features suggestive of TLAP syndrome. The questionnaire included measurements of the calcaneonavicular space and identification of indirect signs associated with calcaneonavicular coalitions, as described in the related literature.
A total of 128 patients who met the inclusion criteria were included in the analysis, including 38 patients and 90 controls. The prevalence of TLAP was 71.5% in the study population and 62.6% among controls. A threshold measurement of the calcaneonavicular space at 3.2 mm favored TLAP syndrome (sensitivity=97%, specificity=70%, area under the curve [95% confidence interval] =0.881[0.812-0.949]), with better precision using CT. Three indirect signs were significant: the \"anteater nose\" sign, the talar beak, and the tapered anterior calcaneal process. These signs demonstrated an even stronger association with TLAP syndrome when observed in conjunction with a reduction in the calcaneonavicular space, particularly in CT scans.
TLAP is common among control subjects. Therefore, a variant appears to be the most plausible explanation and it can be considered a mild form of calcaneonavicular coalition. However, in conjunction with symptoms suggestive of TLAP syndrome, the diagnosis is further supported by imaging, specifically with a calcaneonavicular space measurement of less than 3.2 mm. This measurement is most accurately obtained using CT with 2-dimensional reconstructions in all three planes. The simultaneous presence of the \"anteater nose\" sign, the talar beak, or the tapered anterior calcaneal process provides additional diagnostic evidence. In the diagnostic approach of calcaneonavicular coalition, oblique foot radiography seems useful in initially detecting abnormal coalition (bony or not), and complementarily, CT emerges as the best modality to characterize TLAP syndrome.

Tarsal coalitions have only very infrequently been observed in the context of cavus foot abnormalities. Recognizing this diagnosis could be crucial to effective cavus repair. We report tarsal coalitions observed in cavus deformity here. Between 2022 and 2023, the records of every patient treated by one of the authors for a varus deformity who was later determined to have either a unilateral or bilateral tarsal coalition were examined. Two patients with cavus deformities who were treated by one of the authors have either a unilateral or bilateral tarsal coalition. Three foot (medial cuneiform-navicular n = 1 and calcaneonavicular n = 2) with tarsal coalition were examined. All of these cases occurred in patients with idiopathic cavus deformity. Computed tomography scans were used to make a firm diagnosis for each patient. We advise surgeons to keep an awareness for this potential comorbid issue in all cavus foot abnormalities and to take advanced imaging into consideration. In these uncommon cases, the medial cuneiform-navicular and calcaneonavicular joints formed an osseous coalition with pes cavus deformity, which successfully resolved with conservative and surgical treatment, respectively. Level of Clinical Evidence: IV.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the outcome of surgical treatment of tarsal coalition, assess the role of the surgical technique, as well as of coalition size and type on outcomes.
METHODS: The search followed the Preferred Reporting Items of Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis and was performed in four databases: MEDLINE, Central, Scopus and Web of Science. The protocol has been registered in the international prospective register of systematic reviews. Patient-reported outcomes (PROMs), complications, revisions and radiographic recurrence were collected. Risk of bias was assessed using MINORS criteria. A random-effects model for meta-analysis was applied for analysis of data heterogeneity.
RESULTS: Twenty-five studies including 760 tarsal coalitions were included and had a weighted average follow-up of 44 months. Studies scored fair to poor on the risk of bias assessment with a mean MINORS score of 67% (44-81%). In 77.8% (37.5-100%) of surgically treated tarsal coalitions, good/excellent/non-limiting or improved PROMs were reported. Calculated data heterogeneity was moderate (I2 = 57%). Open bar resection with material interposition had a clinical success rate of 78.8% (50-100%). Complications occurred in 4.96% of cases. Coalition size did not prove to be a determining factor in postoperative outcome. The influence of the coalition type was not investigated by any of the studies.
CONCLUSIONS: Data on outcomes of surgical management for tarsal coalitions is limited to retrospective case series with high risk of bias and moderate data heterogeneity. In about ¾ of cases, open resection and interposition of material results in improved PROMs. The arbitrary margin of ≥ 50% of TC coalition size in relation to the posterior facet has little importance in surgical decision-making. None of the studies reported on the influence of the coalition type on postoperative clinical success.

BACKGROUND: Calcaneonavicular coalitions (CC) affect approximately 1% of the general population. CC or Too-long anterior process (TLAP) result in \"repeated sprains\" that can be associated with foot and/or ankle chronic pain. The main objective of this study was to analyze the effectiveness of surgery using the AOFAS score.
OBJECTIVE: Functional results after surgical treatment of CC or TLAP are not as good as expected.
METHODS: A single-center prospective study was carried out at our University Hospital from 01/01/2019 to 06/01/2021. The patients included were operated on in the pediatric surgery department for CC or TLAP resection by direct approach after MRI confirmation and failure of non-operative treatment. A survey evaluating the AOFAS score as well as the number of ankle sprains and the intensity of pain was undertaken at the preoperative consultation and then at three and twelve months postoperatively.
RESULTS: A total of 17 feet in 16 patients (14 girls and 2 boys) comprising 12 TLAP and 5 CC were included. The AOFAS score was statistically significantly increased (58.6 vs. 82.9; p<0.001) postoperatively. No statistical difference was noted between the follow-up visits at three and twelve months. At the twelve-month follow-up, 9 out of 16 patients (56.2%) still reported activity restrictions; mainly linked to the persistence of chronic pain, and 10 out of 16 patients (62.5%) reported a feeling of instability.
CONCLUSIONS: CC and TLAP surgery rapidly improves function but it does not dramatically reduce foot pain and activity restrictions. A dedicated score would be useful to identify patients who will benefit the most from surgery.
METHODS: IV; prospective study.

Calcaneonavicular coalitions in adults can be managed conservatively or through operative means involving resection or arthrodesis of the joints. The aim of this systematic review was to compare complication rates and functional outcomes for the different interventions. PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Library were searched for relevant studies that reported outcomes for the management of calcaneonavicular coalitions in adults. Twenty-three studies met the inclusion criteria, comprising 118 coalitions. Forty-one coalitions were managed conservatively and 71 through operative means of which, 62 included a resection and nine had an arthrodesis performed. Patients who were operated upon had a significantly higher complication rate of 23.4% compared to 10.6% for those who were managed conservatively (p=0.048). There was no significant difference in complication rates among those who had a resection or an arthrodesis. All studies demonstrated an improvement in functional outcomes regardless of intervention used. Conservative management of calcaneonavicular coalitions in adults should continue to be advocated as first-line treatment given the lower complication rates compared to operative means.

BACKGROUND: The primary aim was to determine the clinical success rate after treatment for talocalcaneal (TCC) and calcaneonavicular coalitions (CNC). The secondary aim was to evaluate the complication, recurrence and revision rate.
METHODS: A search was carried out in MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane Library. Methodological quality was assessed using the Methodological Index for Non-Randomised Studies (MINORS) criteria. The primary outcome was the clinical success rate and was pooled per type of coalition and treatment modality. 95% Confidence Intervals (CI) of the success rates were calculated. Secondary outcomes included complication rates, coalition recurrence rates, revision rates and pain improvement using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). A sub-analysis on interposition material was performed.
RESULTS: 43 articles comprising of 1284 coalitions were included, with a pooled mean follow-up of 51 months. Methodological quality was fair. The overall pooled success rate for TCCs was 79% (95% CI, 75%-83%). Conservative treatment, open resection and arthroscopic resection of TCCs resulted in success rates of 58% (95% CI, 42%-73%), 80% (95% CI, 76%-84%) and 86% (95% CI, 71%-94%), respectively. CNCs have an overall success rate of 81% (95% CI, 75%-85%), with 100% (95% CI, 34%-100%), 80% (95% CI, 74%-85%) and 100% (95% CI, 65%-100%) for conservative treatment, open resection and arthroscopic resection, respectively. Pooled complication rates of 4% (95% CI, 3%-7%) for TCCs and 6% (95% CI, 4%-11%) for CNCs were found. The success rates of resection with and without interposition material for TCCs were 83% (95% CI, 78%-87%) and 79% (95% CI, 65%-88%), and for CNCs 81% (95% CI, 76%-86%) and 69% (95% CI, 44%-85%), respectively.
CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of tarsal coalitions can be considered good to excellent as well as safe, with an overall clinical success rate of 79% for TCCs and 81% for CNCs. Arthroscopic resection of the coalition appears to be non-inferior to open resection of TCCs and CNCs.
METHODS: Level IV, Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVE: This study describes the radiographic diagnosis and nonoperative chiropractic management for a case of a chronic calcaneonavicular coalition in an adult patient.
BACKGROUND: Calcaneonavicular coalition is a congenital/acquired condition of the tarsal bones often diagnosed in individuals 8-12 years old. Considering its rare presentation (less than 1% of the population), there remains little literature on the conservative management of this condition.
METHODS: Chronic calcaneonavicular coalition in a 35-year-old recreational athlete is presented.
UNASSIGNED: Following radiographic diagnosis, the patient was placed in a walking boot for four-weeks. After removal of the boot, the patient was managed nonoperatively. They reported a full resolution of symptoms with noted return to all pre-injury activities.
CONCLUSIONS: Presentation of calcaneonavicular coalition may be dependent on many factors, including age, medical history, and chronicity of the condition. Previous medical background may include recurrent inversion ankle sprains, aggravated with activity, and alleviated with rest. Nonoperative management of calcaneonavicular coalition may be considered as a viable intervention.
OBJECTIVE: Cette étude présente le diagnostic à l’aide de radiographies et la prise en charge non chirurgicale par la chiropratique d’un cas de coalition calcanéonaviculaire chronique chez un patient adulte.
BACKGROUND: La coalition calcanéo-naviculaire est une affection congénitale ou acquise des tarses souvent diagnostiquée chez des individus âgés de 8 à 12 ans. Comme il s’agit d’une affection rare (moins de 1% de la population), il existe peu de littérature sur le traitement conservateur de cette affection.
UNASSIGNED: Présentation d’une coalition calcanéo-naviculaire chronique chez un athlète amateur de 35 ans.
UNASSIGNED: Après le diagnostic établi à l’aide de radiographies, le patient a été placé dans une botte de marche orthopédique pendant quatre semaines. Après le retrait de la botte, le patient a été pris en charge de manière non chirurgicale. Tous ses symptômes sont disparus et il a pu reprendre toutes les activités qu’il avait avant sa blessure.
UNASSIGNED: La survenue d’une coalition calcanéonaviculaire peut dépendre de nombreux facteurs, dont l’âge, les antécédents médicaux et la chronicité de l’affection. Les antécédents médicaux peuvent inclure des entorses récurrentes de la cheville en inversion, aggravées par l’activité et soulagées par le repos. La prise en charge non chirurgicale de la coalition calcanéo-naviculaire peut être considérée comme une intervention viable.

Tarsal coalition is determined by an absence of segmentation between one or more foot bones. The main symptom is activity-related foot pain, usually dorsolateral for calcaneonavicular coalitions and medial for talocalcaneal ones. At presentation, a symptomatic tarsal coalition must be treated conservatively for at least 6 months. If the conservative treatment fails and the foot is still painful, resection is the treatment of choice. Advantage of surgery is to restore mobility and reduce the risk of subsequent degenerative arthritis. Common pitfalls of surgery include failure to recognize associated coalitions, inadequate or extensive resection, and injury of adjoining bones.

Persistent symptomatic calcaneonavicular coalition (CNC) and too-long anterior process of the calcaneus (TLAP) are congenital disorders that can benefit from surgical treatment. The arthroscopic technique for CNC and TLAP resection has previously been described. The aim of this prospective study was to describe outcomes following arthroscopic resection of 12 (38.71%) CNC and 19 (61.29%) TLAP cases in 30 consecutive pediatric patients treated between July 2009 and March 2013. There mean age was 12.4 (range 10 to 15) years, and the mean follow-up was 55.2 (range 24 to 79) months. Radiographs, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Ankle-Hindfoot Scores, AOFAS pain scores, and patient satisfaction were assessed. All final postoperative imaging scans revealed complete synostosis resection without recurrence. The mean overall AOFAS Ankle-Hindfoot Score increased from 78.87 (95% confidence interval [CI] 76.74 to 81.01) to 93.06 (95% CI 91.10 to 95.03) (p < .001). All patients showed pain reduction after surgery; even 1 patient (3.23%) who initially developed complex regional pain syndrome eventually had a successful outcome. The mean AOFAS pain score increased from 23.87 (95% CI 22.05 to 25.69) to 34.84 (95% CI 32.97 to 36.70) (p < .001). All patients were either satisfied (n = 9 [30%]) or very satisfied (n = 21 [70%]) with the intervention at the final follow-up. Although both arthroscopic CNC and TLAP resection are demanding techniques, they allow for precise coalition resection through a less invasive approach, which may ultimately lead to faster recovery and improved outcomes.