What is a complication of triple arthrodesis to the ankle joint?

• A. Improves ankle motion with no downsides
• B. Prevents arthritis in subtalar joint
• C. May cause ankle joint arthritis, although it is usually asymptomatic
• D. Eliminates need for future foot surgeries

Answer: (C)

The main idea is that fusing the hindfoot joints in a triple arthrodesis changes how forces travel through the foot and ankle. Once those joints are rigid, the ankle joint (tibiotalar) has to bear more load and altered motions during gait. That increased stress can lead to degenerative changes in the ankle joint over time, i.e., arthritis. Yet many patients don’t develop symptoms from this arthritis, so it’s often an incidental or asymptomatic finding. This combination—potential ankle joint arthritis after the procedure, usually without symptoms—best describes the common complication.

The other statements don’t fit: the procedure reduces ankle motion rather than improving it with no downsides; it doesn’t prevent arthritis in the subtalar joint (that joint is fused, and adjacent-joint issues can still occur); and it does not guarantee elimination of the need for future foot surgeries.