Human Calcaneal Facets for the Talus:
Patterns and Clinical Implications
791-794
Correspondence
Dr. N. Muthukumaravel MS (Anatomy)
Department of Anatomy
Annapoorana Medical College
NH – 47, Kalparapatti Post
Salem, Tamil Nadu – 636 308
Ph. No: (0) 9487413300
e-mail: pilmuthukvel@yahoo.co.in
Background and Objectives: Calcanei with certain talar facet patterns predispose to subtalar arthritis. Knowledge about variations in the talar facets of the calcanei is essential for orthopaedic surgeons while correcting foot deformities like pes planus. This study was undertaken after finding a scarcity of such data in the South Indian population. The objective was to identify the patterns of the talar facets of calcanei and their clinical implications.
Methods: Calcanei (n = 237) from the southern part of India were utilized. The literature describes five patterns of calcaneal facets for the talus. Pattern III (absent anterior facet) was not found in the present study. Only four patterns were described as follows: Pattern I: Fusion of the middle and the anterior facets, Pattern II:The middle and the anterior facets separate, Pattern IV: Fusion of all the three facets, Pattern V: Fusion of the middle and the posterior facets.
Results: Pattern I was predominant (65.82%), followed by Pattern II in 33.33% of the bones. In the Pattern II, the subtype A with less than 5mm separation was the commonest. Rare cases of pattern IV and pattern V were found in 0.42% of the cases in each type.
Interpretation and Conclusion: There is a dominance of pattern I calcanei in Indians as compared to the Europeans who present pattern II commonly. This fact necessitates the orthopaedic surgeons in India to modify the surgical techniques when they perform calcaneal osteotomy. South Indians may be at a greater risk of developing subtalar arthritis due to the dominance of Pattern I calcanei.