Frequently Asked Questions About Sinus Tarsi Implants
If you know individuals who have undergone surgery for a narrowed artery, you may have heard of a device called a stent that surgeons implant to help prop the artery open. However, you may not realize that another kind of stent known as a sinus tarsi implant can improve function in an ankle joint that flexes too freely.
Before you undergo a procedure such as joint fusion that permanently robs you of normal range of motion in your ankle, learn about how sinus tarsi implants work, why they hold advantages over other corrective techniques, and who can benefit from them. Check out the answers to the following frequently asked questions.
What Does a Sinus Tarsi Implant Do?
Your talus (ankle bone) sits on top of your calcaneus (heel bone) at three points, with a shallow depression in the midst of these contact points. Podiatrists refer to this open space as the sinus tarsi. Normally, your ankle bone shouldn't move far enough to intrude on this space. If it does, your ankle can grow noticeably unstable.
A sinus tarsi implant consists of a solid titanium stent, The stent resembles a metal screw. When a surgeon installs the stent in the sinus tarsi, it prevents the ankle bone from flexing too far into this area. It's also designed to give you "forever" arch support.
Who Can Benefit From a Sinus Tarsi Implant?
Many people who suffer from ankle instability or fallen arches can benefit from a sinus tarsi implant. Unstable ankles often experience hyperpronation, in which the ankle turns inward and the foot turns outward at abnormal ankles, causing tissue strain and postural problems. Many people with hyperpronation also suffer from flat feet.
How Does This Surgery Differ From Joint Fusion?
Both sinus tarsi implantation and ankle joint fusion can ease pain by stabilizing the ankle and correcting the angles of the ankle and foot. However, joint fusion surgery typically makes the treated joint completely immobile for life. It also calls for more invasive techniques involving the placement of bone grafts and metal hardware.
While a sinus tarsi implant also involves a metal stent, it doesn't aim to immobile the joint or restrict it from normal motion. Instead, it prevents excessive, abnormal motion only, preserving the ankle's normal range of motion. It also corrects your arches back to neutral. The surrounding tissues hold the stent in place in this minimally invasive operation.
What Should You Expect From the Procedure?
During your sinus tarsi implant surgery, the surgeon will make a small cut in the skin to access the bones of the ankle and heel. A guide wire ensures that the stent fits perfectly in the space between these bones. After the surgeon closes the incision, you'll wear a walking cast and get around on crutches until the tissues have healed.
If you suffer from hypermobile or flat feet and you believe that sinus tarsi implants might help, schedule a visit to Advanced Foot Clinic. Our podiatry team performs a wide range of corrective foot treatments, including sinus tarsi stent implantation. Contact us for an initial evaluation so we can prescribe the right treatment.
