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Updated: Sep 2, 2026
Treatment of Ankle Osteoarthritis with Total Ankle Replacement Through a Lateral Transfibular Approach
Published on: January 24, 2018
Realignment Using Supramalleolar Osteotomy Is Associated With Improved Tibiotalar Congruity Without Fibular or
Hansol Moon1, InHwa Baek1, Dongug Kim1
1Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Dongguk University College of Medicine Gyeongju Hospital, 87 Dongdae-ro, Gyeongju, Republic of Korea.
Background:
Post-traumatic ankle deformity associated with tibiofibular incongruity has traditionally been managed with anatomical reconstruction of the fibula and syndesmosis to restore talar position. However, such reconstruction is often not feasible in chronic deformities with distorted anatomy. We hypothesized that realignment using supramalleolar osteotomy (SMO), without fibular or syndesmotic reconstruction, would improve tibiotalar congruity.
Methods:
A retrospective study included 11 patients (11 ankles) who underwent SMO for chronic post-traumatic ankle deformity with tibiofibular incongruity. Patients were included if they had persistent symptoms refractory to nonoperative treatment and underwent SMO as the primary realignment procedure. Anatomical reconstruction of the fibula or syndesmosis was not attempted. Radiographic outcomes included whole limb and distal tibial alignment, tibiotalar congruity, and hindfoot alignment. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS) and the Foot Function Index (FFI).
Results:
The mean follow-up was 33.1 months. Eight ankles underwent medial closing wedge SMO, and 3 underwent dome-type SMO. Postoperative tibiotalar congruity improved, with significant correction of mediolateral talar translation (P < .05). Hindfoot valgus alignment improved toward neutral. VAS and FFI improved (P < .05), whereas sagittal alignment showed no significant difference. All cases achieved union and no patient required conversion to ankle arthrodesis or total ankle arthroplasty.
Conclusion:
In selected patients with chronic post-traumatic ankle deformity associated with tibiofibular incongruity in whom anatomical fibular or syndesmotic reconstruction is not feasible, realignment using supramalleolar osteotomy was associated with improved tibiotalar alignment and congruity, with favorable clinical outcomes. This realignment-based strategy represents a viable joint-preserving alternative in complex chronic ankle deformities with tibiofibular incongruity.
Level Of Evidence:
Level IV, prognostic.
