Cancellous bone grafts from the calcaneus have been used for the foot and ankle
as well as iliac bone graft; however, there is a sparse report for calcaneal
bone transplantation in the field of rheumatoid foot surgery. In this study,
safety and usefulness of calcaneal bone grafts, and combination with
interconnected porous hydroxyapatite ceramic, was evaluated in rheumatoid
arthritis foot surgeries. Of six rheumatoid arthritis cases, three
(talo-navicular joint fusion) used a calcaneal bone graft alone, and the
remaining three cases (subtalar joint and talo-navicular joint fusion) used a
combination of calcaneal bone graft and interconnected porous hydroxyapatite
ceramic augmented with dense calcium hydroxyapatite for subtalar bony defect
(1.5–2.0 cm) after the correction. Pre- and postoperative Japanese Society for
Surgery of the Foot rheumatoid arthritis foot ankle scale scores were obtained
for the clinical assessment. As radiographic assessment, tibio-calcaneal angle,
calcaneal pitch, talo-1st metatarsal angle, and pronated foot index were also
evaluated. After starting weight-bearing or walking, there was no pain and skin
trouble at the fusion and harvesting sites. All cases achieved bony fusion
within 6–10 weeks. Japanese Society for Surgery of the Foot rheumatoid arthritis
foot ankle score was improved in all six cases. Furthermore, tibio-calcaneal
angle, talo-1st metatarsal angle, and pronated foot index were also improved at
latest follow-up in all cases. In conclusion, autologous bone grafting from the
calcaneus was safe and convenient even in rheumatoid foot surgeries. For larger
bony defects (1.5–2.0 cm), combination use with interconnected porous
hydroxyapatite ceramic augmented with dense calcium hydroxyapatite was also
useful.