Clinical comparison of ankle arthrodesis with distal tibial oblique osteotomy for the patient with stage 3b ankle arthritis

Abstract

Category: Ankle Arthritis Introduction/Purpose: Ankle arthrodesis (AA) has been applied for end-stage ankle arthritis. On the other hand, low tibial osteotomy has been applied for mild to moderate ankle arthritis, however distal tibial oblique osteotomy (DTOO) has come to be applied for end-stage arthritis and clinical results were reported to be favorable. The purpose of this study was to compare clinical outcomes after AA and DTOO. Methods: From 2011 to 2014, 37 patients with stage 3b ankle arthritis were treated surgically. In these patients, 25 whose talar tilting angle (TTW) was over 10 degrees with minimum follow-up of 1 year were investigated in this study. Seventeen patients were treated by AA and 8 were treated by DTOO. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the Japanese Society for Surgery of the Foot (JSSF) ankle/hindfoot scale before surgery and at the latest follow up. The patient-based evaluation was performed at the latest follow up using Self-administered evaluation questionnaire (SAFE-Q). TTW and range of motion (ROM) of the ankle were also evaluated before surgery and at the latest follow up. In addition, rate of bony union and complications were investigated. Results: The average ages at the surgery were 60(41-77) years old in the AA group and 66(49-75) in the DTOO group. The average follow up periods were 32(15-49) months in the AA group and 29(13-52) in the DTOO group. Scores of the JSSF scale significantly improved at the latest follow up in both groups. In comparison between two groups, “Social functioning” and “General Health and Well-being” scores in SAFE-Q were significantly higher in the AA group than in the DTOO group. In contrast, ROM was higher in the DTOO group than in the AA group. There were no significant differences in TTW, bony union rate and complications. Conclusion: Ankle arthrodesis spoils the joint motion, however it restores stability and activity of the daily living, that leads to the higher levels of social functioning, general health and well-being.