Characteristic Bone Morphology Change of the Subtalar Joint in Severe Varus Ankle Osteoarthritis

The subtalar joint has a possible compensatory mechanism for supramalleolar deformities; the failure of this mechanism causes the progression of ankle osteoarthritis. However, the reason for this failure has not been fully elucidated. This study aimed to evaluate the characteristics of the morphologic changes in the subtalar joint in varus ankle osteoarthritis using computed tomography. The study included 30 patients with severe osteoarthritis (modified Kellgren-Lawrence classification grade ≥ 3; mean age: 68.5 years) and 30 patients without- or with early osteoarthritis (grade 0-1; mean age: 43.0 years) as the control group. The location of cysts, osteophyte formation in the subtalar joint, and thickness of the subchondral bone plate were evaluated. In the osteoarthritis group, cyst formation was observed on the posterolateral side of the posterior facet of the calcaneus in 6 cases (20%) and of the talus in 7 cases (23.3%). Osteophyte formation was observed in the talus in 21 cases (70.0%) and in the calcaneus in 29 cases (96.6%). Osteophyte formation was observed on the posterior or lateral side of the posterior facet, and osteophyte contact between the talus and calcaneus was observed. The subchondral bone plate of the posterior medial side of the posterior facet of the talus was significantly thicker in the osteoarthritis group. The subtalar joint is less affected in severe varus ankle osteoarthritis containing a thickened subchondral bone plate in the posteromedial aspect of the posterior talar facet.