Tarsometatarsal Fusion
This is an operation to “fuse” or stiffen one or more of the small joints in the middle of the foot (the “tarsometatarsal” joints).
Why Would It Be Performed?
Tarsometatarsal fusions are done for two main reasons:
- Arthritis of the joints, such as osteoarthritis due to a previous injury or rheumatoid arthritis.
- Severe deformity of the foot, such as a flat foot or cavus deformity. The joint of the joints of the midfoot will be realigned and allowed to fuse in a more appropriate position.
What Does It Involve?
One or 2 incisions will be made on the top of your foot. Through these incisions, the appropriate joints will have their cartilage removed to allow fusion in a more appropriate position.
It may be necessary to add more bone to ensure union and healing or to correct big deformities. Usually, this extra bone can be obtained from the bone that is cut out to prepare the fusion, but if more is needed, then it may be removed from the top of the shin bone just below the knee. Once the joint surfaces have been prepared, and the alignment corrected it will be secured in the desired position with plates and screws.
For more information on what to expect after surgery, please click the link for a detailed patient guide on this surgery.