Chopart Injuries: When to Fix and When to Fuse?

Abstract

Chopart joint injuries have a profound effect on global foot function. Surgical treatment aims at joint reconstruction and axial alignment with restoration of the normal relationship of the lateral and medial foot columns. Internal fixation is tailored to the individual fracture pattern and achieved with resorbable pins, Kirschner wires, screws, and/or anatomically shaped minifragment plates. If instability persists, temporary joint transfixation may be achieved with Kirschner wires or bridge plating. Primary fusion sacrifices essential joints and should be reserved for severe initial cartilage damage. Corrective fusion becomes necessary for malunited Chopart joint injuries with rapidly evolving posttraumatic arthritis.

Keywords: Anterior calcaneal process; Corrective fusion; Cuboid; Fracture; Internal fixation; Midtarsal joint; Navicular; Talar head.