Fusion of talonavicular and naviculocuneiform joints for the treatment of Müller-Weiss disease.

Abstract

Müller-Weiss disease is a rare spontaneous osteonecrosis of the tarsal and navicular bones in adults. From April 2008 to April 2011, we treated 7 patients with Müller-Weiss disease by surgical fusion of the talonavicular and naviculocuneiform joints with tricortical autologous iliac crest block fixated by screws and plate. Preoperative and postoperative clinical outcomes were evaluated with the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society ankle-hindfoot scale. The median follow-up time was 22 (range 3 to 38) months. All of the operated feet fused solidly. The median time for solid fusion was 13 (range 12 to 16) weeks. The median American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society ankle-hindfoot score improved from 49 (range 15 to 66) points preoperatively to 82 (range 68 to 87) points at last follow-up. The results suggest that this type of fusion is an effective surgical treatment for Müller-Weiss disease.