Three-stage surgical treatment of the rearfoot deformity in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis

The following case study presents three-stage surgical treatment of rearfoot deformity in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis in the Orthopaedic Rheumatology Department of the Institute of Rheumatology in Warsaw. Because of very advanced destructive changes of all the joints on both levels it was necessary to perform the preparatory operation for the planned operation of arthroplasty of the ankle joint. The rearfoot triple arthrodesis, then reoperations because of excessive rigidity of the original correction and finally arthroplasty of the ankle joint were performed. Figures 1–6 show the output image of destructive changes in joints in the patient’s feet, as well as the stages of surgical treatment and complications. Despite the complications of the first two surgical procedures, the final result was very satisfactory. The patient walks now without pain in the operated foot and ankle, can wear normal shoes and is satisfied with the appearance of the operated foot.