Background: Regardless of the simple surgical technique, the success of the subtalar arthrodesis is limited by the rate of non-unions of the arthrodesis. The functional outcome of workers compensation is known to be poorer compared to patients without pending litigation. The aim of this study was to quantify the rate of non-unions and to determine risk factors leading to failure of the osseous consolidation after arthrodesis of the subtalar joint. The outcome assessed is a general health assessment with the SF-36 questionnaire and more illness specific with the AOFAS hindfoot score. Secondly, the influence of the health insurance status of the patients with or without worker's compensation on the outcome was tested.