Tarsal coalitions. A surgical classification.

The surgical alternatives for the treatment of tarsal coalitions include procedures as diverse as arthroplasty and arthrodesis. Traditional classifications of tarsal coalitions are primarily descriptive and afford little information regarding preferred treatment. For this reason, the author introduces the Articular Classification System, which is based on the patient's osseous age, the articular involvement of the coalition, and the associated secondary arthritic changes. This classification system can be used as a framework to discuss recommended surgical procedures and their long-term results.