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Subtalar ArthritisISTA-ASTA RCTNCT07486596

Arthroscopic Versus Open Subtalar Arthrodesis for the Treatment of Subtalar Arthritis

A study testing Arthroscopic Subtalar Arthrodesis and Open In Situ Subtalar Arthrodesis in people with Subtalar Arthritis, run by Cairo University at 1 site in Egypt.

Active, not recruiting

Under way, not looking for participants. Everyone needed has enrolled. The study is still running.

Official record
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Trial summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to compare two surgical approaches for treating symptomatic subtalar arthritis in patients who have failed conservative treatment. The main questions it aims to answer are: What is the fusion rate for each surgical technique? Which technique achieves bony union faster with fewer… Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 years and older
Conditions the study is for
Subtalar Arthritis
What is being tested?
Arthroscopic Subtalar Arthrodesis and Open In Situ Subtalar Arthrodesis
Type of treatment
Surgery or procedure
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
40 participants
Where
1 siteEgypt
Study dates
5 Dec 2023to Jun 2026
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 years and older
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Clinically and radiographically confirmed symptomatic subtalar arthritis (post-traumatic, primary osteoarthritis, inflammatory or cured post-infective arthritis, symptomatic talocalcaneal coalition, or isolated subtalar arthrosis secondary to pes planovalgus deformity)
  • Failure of an adequate trial of non-operative treatment for a minimum of six months
  • Skeletal maturity: patients aged 18 years or older
  • Ability and willingness to provide written informed consent and to comply fully with the scheduled postoperative follow-up protocol

Who cannot join

  • Primary subtalar arthrodesis performed for an acute, displaced intra-articular calcaneal fracture
  • Arthrodesis planned in conjunction with other simultaneous ipsilateral hindfoot procedures
  • Patients with open physes (skeletal immaturity)
  • Indication for a distraction-type arthrodesis requiring structural bone graft
  • History of previous or current active infection at the planned operative site
  • Previous failed attempt at subtalar arthrodesis
  • Presence of significant peripheral vascular disease or other major medical comorbidities precluding safe surgical intervention

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

Egypt1 site
  • Cairo university hospitals

    Cairo, Cairo Governorate, 4240310

Other trials in Egypt

About this study

Official title: Comparative Analysis of Open Versus Arthroscopic Approaches for Subtalar Arthrodesis in Patients With Subtalar Arthritis

The goal of this clinical trial is to compare two surgical approaches for treating symptomatic subtalar arthritis in patients who have failed conservative treatment. The main questions it aims to answer are:

What is the fusion rate for each surgical technique? Which technique achieves bony union faster with fewer complications?

Read more

Researchers will compare arthroscopic subtalar arthrodesis (ASTA) using a combined three-to-four portal approach to open in situ subtalar arthrodesis (ISTA) to see if one technique results in superior fusion rates, faster healing, and better functional outcomes.

Participants will:

Undergo one of two surgical procedures (either ASTA or ISTA) Attend follow-up visits at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months after surgery Have X-rays taken to assess fusion and bone healing Complete pain and function questionnaires at each visit

Read the detailed description

Background and Rationale:

Subtalar arthritis is a debilitating condition frequently resulting from intra-articular calcaneal fractures, leading to progressive cartilage degeneration, hindfoot pain, and functional impairment. When conservative management fails, subtalar arthrodesis (fusion) is the established gold standard surgical treatment. Open in situ subtalar arthrodesis (ISTA) via the sinus tarsi approach has a long history of success with reported fusion rates of 85-95%. However, arthroscopic subtalar arthrodesis (ASTA) has gained popularity due to proposed advantages including preservation of blood supply, reduced soft tissue trauma, and lower wound complication rates. High-quality prospective comparative data between these two techniques remain limited.

Study Design:

Single-center, prospective, randomized controlled trial at Kasr Al-Ainy Hospitals, Cairo University. Forty patients with symptomatic subtalar arthritis are randomized 1:1 to ASTA (n=20) or ISTA (n=20) using computer-generated sequences with allocation concealment via sequentially numbered sealed opaque envelopes. Due to the nature of surgical interventions, blinding of patients and surgeons is not feasible; however, outcome assessment is performed by a blinded independent assessor.

Surgical Interventions:

Arthroscopic Subtalar Arthrodesis (ASTA): Performed under spinal anesthesia in the prone position. A combined three-to-four portal arthroscopic technique is used, including anterolateral (sinus tarsi), posterolateral, and posteromedial portals for complete visualization of the subtalar joint. Complete synovectomy and cartilage debridement until healthy bleeding subchondral bone is exposed.. Subchondral drilling creates microfractures to enhance vascular ingrowth. Fixation is achieved with two percutaneously inserted 6.5-7.3 mm cannulated screws under fluoroscopic guidance.

Open In Situ Subtalar Arthrodesis (ISTA): Performed under spinal anesthesia with the patient supine via a 4-5 cm oblique sinus tarsi approach. All residual articular cartilage is removed to bleeding cancellous bone. The subchondral plate is perforated to enhance fusion. Fixation is achieved with two percutaneously inserted cannulated screws under fluoroscopic guidance.

Postoperative Protocol:

Standardized rehabilitation: non-weight-bearing in a short-leg removable cast boot for 6 weeks, followed by progressive weight-bearing once radiographic union is confirmed. Formal physiotherapy begins after transition to full weight-bearing.

Outcome Evaluation:

Patients are assessed at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months postoperatively. Primary outcomes are radiographic fusion rate and time to radiographic union (defined as trabecular bridging across the posterior facet on plain radiographs or CT). Secondary outcomes include pain (VAS), functional status (Modified AOFAS), quality of life (SF-12), operative time, blood loss, and complication rates. Subgroup analyses by age, sex, BMI, smoking status, and arthritis etiology are performed.

Statistical Analysis:

Sample size (40 patients) calculated for expected fusion rates of 100% (ASTA) vs 95% (ISTA) with non-inferiority margin of 0.15, 80% power, and two-tailed alpha 0.05. Analysis includes t-tests, chi-square tests, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, and multivariable regression. Significance set at p < 0.05.

Ethics:

Study approved by Research Ethics Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University (13 February 2024). All patients provide written informed consent. Conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki (2013), ICMJE, and CONSORT guidelines.

Being tested
Arthroscopic Subtalar Arthrodesis, Open In Situ Subtalar Arthrodesis

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Arthroscopic Subtalar ArthrodesisProcedure or surgery

    Also called ASTA

    Arthroscopic technique using a 4 mm 30° arthroscope in the prone position with a combined three-to-four portal approach (anterolateral sinus tarsi portal, posterolateral portal, posteromedial portal). Includes complete synovectomy, motorized debridement of posterior facet cartilage, subchondral microfracture drilling, and percutaneous screw fixation (two 6.5-7.3 mm cannulated screws) under fluoroscopic guidance.

  • Open In Situ Subtalar ArthrodesisProcedure or surgery

    Also called ISTA

    Lateral sinus tarsi approach performed supine with 4-5 cm oblique incision. Complete cartilage debridement to bleeding cancellous bone, subchondral plate perforation, and percutaneous screw fixation (two cannulated screws) under fluoroscopic guidance.

Study groups in NCT07486596
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Arthroscopic Subtalar Arthrodesis (ASTA)Active comparatorArthroscopic technique using a 4 mm 30° arthroscope in the prone position with a combined three-to-four portal approach (anterolateral sinus tarsi portal, posterolateral portal, posteromedial portal). Includes complete synovectomy, motorized debridement of posterior facet cartilage, subchondral microfracture drilling, and percutaneous screw fixation (two 6.5-7.3 mm cannulated screws) under fluoroscopic guidance.
Receives: Procedure: Arthroscopic Subtalar Arthrodesis
Open In Situ Subtalar Arthrodesis (ISTA)ExperimentalOpen in situ subtalar arthrodesis via the lateral sinus tarsi approach performed in the supine position. All residual articular cartilage is removed to bleeding cancellous bone. The subchondral plate is perforated to enhance fusion. Fixation is achieved with two percutaneously inserted cannulated screws under fluoroscopic guidance.
Receives: Procedure: Open In Situ Subtalar Arthrodesis

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Fusion Rate at 6 months

    Fusion rate is defined as the proportion of patients achieving successful solid bony union of the subtalar joint. Union is determined using combined clinical and radiographic criteria, including absence of pain on palpation and passive stress, absence of detectable subtalar motion, and presence of continuous trabecular bridging across the posterior facet on plain radiographs or computed tomography when radiographs are inconclusive.

    Measured: 6 months postoperatively

  2. Time to Radiographic Union

    Time to radiographic union is defined as the time elapsed from the date of surgery to the first radiographic evidence of continuous trabecular bridging across the subtalar joint fusion interface. Assessment is performed using serial plain radiographs, with computed tomography utilized when findings are equivocal.

    Measured: Up to 12 months postoperatively

Secondary outcomes (4)
  1. Change in American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Ankle-Hindfoot Score

    Functional outcome is assessed using the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Ankle-Hindfoot score (modified version, maximum 94 points excluding the subtalar motion component). The scale ranges from 0 to 94, with higher scores indicating better function. The score evaluates pain, function, and alignment. Change from baseline is compared between arthroscopic and open subtalar arthrodesis groups.

    Measured: Preoperative baseline, 6 months postoperatively, and 12 months postoperatively

  2. Change in Pain Intensity Measured by Visual Analog Scale (VAS)

    Pain intensity is assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), a 0 to 10 scale where 0 indicates no pain and 10 indicates the worst imaginable pain. Higher scores indicate greater pain severity. Change from baseline is evaluated at each follow-up time point and compared between treatment groups.

    Measured: Preoperative baseline, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months postoperatively

  3. Change in Short Form-12 (SF-12) Health Survey Scores

    Health-related quality of life is assessed using the Short Form-12 (SF-12) Health Survey, including the Physical Component Summary (PCS) and Mental Component Summary (MCS). Each component is scored on a scale from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating better health status. Change from baseline is compared between treatment groups.

    Measured: Preoperative baseline, 6 months postoperatively, 12 months postoperatively

  4. Complication Rate

    Incidence and nature of all perioperative and postoperative complications, classified by severity including wound complications, nerve injury, hardware-related issues, non-union, malunion, and infection.

    Measured: Intraoperative through 12 months postoperatively

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted20 Mar 2026
  2. Study start5 Dec 2023
  3. Primary completionApr 2026 (estimated)
  4. Study completionJun 2026 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
Single blind
Who is masked
Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
40 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07486596
Sponsor's protocol ID
MD-482-2023
Acronym
ISTA-ASTA RCT
Status last verified
Mar 2026
First submitted
14 Mar 2026
Last updated
13 Apr 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Arthroscopic Subtalar Arthrodesis and Open In Situ Subtalar Arthrodesis in people with Subtalar Arthritis, run by Cairo University at 1 site in Egypt.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 7 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: under way, not looking for participants, as of the sponsor's last update on 13 Apr 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in Egypt. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Fusion Rate at 6 months (time frame: 6 months postoperatively). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 13 Apr 2026.

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