Disability of the hindfoot after fracture of the tibial shaft

Abstract

Hindfoot (subtalar) movement and disability after fracture of the tibial shaft have been studied. One hundred patients with soundly healed fractures of the tibial shaft treated by immobilisation in a long leg plaster cast were examined at least one year after the fracture had healed. Subtalar movement was accurately measured by a special technique and the patients were questioned specifically about any disability associated with their hindfoot. Subtalar movement was limited to some degree in 72% of patients. Forty-three per cent of patients complained of symptoms related to their subtalar joint and 12% found these symptoms troublesome.