BACKGROUND: Tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis (TTCA) is a salvage procedure to fuse the ankle and subtalar joints to treat severe ankle and hindfoot disease. Patients often have multiple operations before a TTCA. A below knee amputation (BKA) has major physical and psychological impacts. Our aim is to investigate the outcomes of these treatments in salvage situations, with a focus on objective functional measurements and patient reported outcome measures (PROMs).

METHODS: 52 patients underwent TTCA with a retrograde intramedullary nail and contacted for clinical and functional assessments and compared to patients who underwent traumatic BKA. PROMS such as AOFAS score, SF-36 and foot function index (FFI), and objective functional outcome measures were used.

RESULTS: Of the 52 TTCA patients, 28 patients were recruited for follow-up. 35.7% of patients had postoperative complications. Mean postoperative AOFAS score was 63.9 ± 8.4 (range, 47-81), FFI 48.8 ± 15.8 (range, 22.2-75.2). 11 BKA patients (mean age 46.4 years) were included as control group. BKA patients scored higher than the TTCA patients on SF-36 physical functioning (p < 0.01) and SF-36 mental health (p < 0.05) subscales. The flat-surface functional tests (timed up and go test, 2-minute walk test, 10-meter walk test) showed significantly (p < 0.05) better outcomes for the BKA compared to TTCA.

CONCLUSIONS: A TTCA is a salvage procedure with high complication rates. Functional and psychometric results are reduced compared to the normal population. Patients after a BKA had significantly better scores on SF-36 functional and mental health subscales and better functional outcomes for flat ground activities compared to TTCA. Heterogeneity of the TTCA and BKA patient cohorts is a limitation of this study. With these results in mind, the outlook of a BKA is not necessarily a grim one. They may be used by surgeons to counsel patients preoperatively when managing complex ankle and hindfoot disease.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, retrospective cohort study.