Prognostic risk factors for complications associated with Tibiotalocalcaneal fusion with a nail

Abstract Background Tibiotalocalcaneal (TTC) arthrodesis with a nail can be an effective salvage procedure for several foot and ankle pathologies, but has a relatively high complication rate. The purpose of this study is to investigate risk factors associated with complications after TTC arthrodesis with a nail. Methods Clinical and radiographic outcomes for 82 patients from 2012-2016 who underwent TTC arthrodesis with a nail were retrospectivelyevaluated to determine if patient or surgeon specific variables offered prognostic value in predicting negative outcomes. Results Diabetes, diabetic neuropathy, high (>2) American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification, and Charcot neuroarthropathy all were predictive of developing a nonunion in either the subtalar ortibiotalar joints (p  7.5 was also predictive of hardwarefailure. The odds ratio (OR) for diabetic neuropathy was 2.99 (p  Conclusion Patients with diabetic neuropathy, Charcot neuroarthropathy, elevated HbA1C, and ASA classification >2 demonstrated a higher complication rate in patients undergoing TTC arthrodesis with a nail.