What is Hindfoot arthritis and deformity?

Hindfoot arthritis involves pain and stiffness in the joints at the rear of the foot. These joints are made up of the heel bone (calcaneum) and the ankle bone (talus). Hindfoot arthritis is a condition where the cartilage surfaces that line the joints become thin and eventually wear out completely. Joints are surrounded by the synovium, which produces a fluid that lubricates the cartilage and reduces friction during movement. When this cartilage and lubrication are no longer present, it can cause bone on bone rubbing, resulting in deformity, pain, and discomfort. Usually, hindfoot arthritis and related deformity occurs slowly over a period of years.

Causes

The most common cause of hindfoot arthritis and deformity is a previous injury such as a calcaneum fracture. It may also occur as part of a larger condition such as rheumatoid arthritis, primary osteoarthritis, deformity of the leg or foot, neurological disease, and Charcot neuroarthropathy. Dysfunction of tendons that attached to bones in the hind foot can cause flatten of the foot arch which can lead to hindfoot arthritis as well. Arthritis may flare up due to over activity, stress, cold weather, a change in barometric pressure, an infection, or weight gain.

Symptoms

  • Joint swelling, warmth, and redness in the back of the foot
  • Feeling of grinding or popping
  • Ankle may be stiff particularly in the morning or at the beginning of activity
  • Pain in the hind foot when walking
  • Loss of flexibility on uneven surfaces
  • Pain that flares up with vigorous activity
  • Tenderness when pressure is applied to the joint
  • Difficulty in walking due to any of the above symptoms

Diagnostics

Understanding the underlying causes and properly diagnosing your condition is the first step to treatment. We then provide a holistic approach to helping patients and their families through their surgical journey. Properly supporting you and/or your child, while educating you on the details helps us ensure the most successful outcomes possible. Our hands on, team approach makes patients feel supported throughout the whole treatment process.

To learn more about your condition and receive a diagnosis, schedule a virtual consultation with one of our experienced orthopedic doctors. During this consultation, all your questions will be answered as our specialists guide you through the evaluation process.

Conservative treatment

Physiotherapy, Anti-inflammatory medication, Braces can all be used as conservative methods of treatment. The following injections may also be used:

Procedure

Cortisone injections

Procedure

Viscosupplement for joint

Procedure

Injections for joints

Surgical treatment

Procedure

Acute Deformity Correction

Procedure

Ankle and hindfoot fusion (arthrodesis)

Case study

35 year old lady with ankle pseudarthrosis
70 year old man with pain with tennis and other activities

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Highly specialized expert care at CLLC

At the Canadian Limb Lengthening Centre we offer complex deformity correction and limb lengthening surgeries performed by experienced surgeons with the most up to date technologies. When it comes to your care, and treatment of deformity and limb length discrepancy, our surgeons have extensive training and experience.