Landmarks for a Minimally Invasive Approach for Haglund’s Deformity: A Cadaveric Study

This is the authors' abstract. We don't add key points for this paper.

INTRODUCTION: Haglund's deformity is a posterosuperior calcaneal prominence often associated with a painful bursa and insertional Achilles tendinopathy. Endoscopic debridement has been previously described; however, the aim of this cadaveric study is to describe landmarks of a minimally invasive surgical (MIS) approach to Haglund's deformity. METHODS: Twelve specimens were dissected to identify medial and lateral portals for minimally invasive burr placement and anchor placement. A standard ruler was used to measure the distance in millimeters from the medial and lateral neurovascular structures in relation to medial and lateral portals. A separate 7-cm longitudinal incision posterior to the lateral malleolus and a separate 7-cm longitudinal incision posterior to the medial malleolus were made to identify at-risk neurovascular structures. RESULTS: The average distance from the sural nerve to the lateral portal was 25.7 mm (23-26). The mean distance from the lateral calcaneal branch of the sural nerve to lateral portal was 11.4 mm (10-12). The mean distance from the tibial nerve to the medial portal was 35.3 mm (35-36). Both the medial and lateral incisions were 9.3 mm from the calcaneal tuberosity. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that the MIS approach to Haglund's deformity resection can be performed reliably without neurovascular compromise. LEVELS OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.