From the Research
Age-Related Outcomes for Midfoot Arthrodesis in Osteoarthritis (OA)
- The available studies do not provide a clear answer to the question of at what age outcomes decline for midfoot arthrodesis in osteoarthritis (OA) 1, 2, 3, 4.
- However, the studies suggest that midfoot arthrodesis can be an effective treatment for OA in patients of various ages, with satisfactory outcomes reported in patients over 70 years old 5.
- The mean age of patients in the studies ranged from 55.9 to 74.5 years, with some studies including patients as old as 80 years 1, 2, 3, 5.
- While the studies do not provide a specific age at which outcomes decline, they suggest that midfoot arthrodesis can be a viable treatment option for OA in older adults, with union rates and functional outcomes comparable to those reported in younger patients 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
Factors Affecting Outcomes
- The number of joints spanned for fusion may be a factor affecting outcomes, with a greater number of arthrodesis sites associated with a higher nonunion rate 4.
- The use of locked dorsal compression plates may not improve fusion rates compared to prior reports, but can still be a viable technique for achieving midfoot fusion 4.
- Emerging technology using newer materials and improved biomechanical designs may show improved results in the future 4.
Patient Satisfaction and Functional Outcomes
- Patient satisfaction and functional outcomes after midfoot arthrodesis can be satisfactory, with significant improvement in pain and functional scores reported in several studies 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
- The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) scores and other functional outcome measures can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of midfoot arthrodesis in patients with OA 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.