Effectiveness of distal tibial osteotomy with distraction arthroplasty in varus ankle osteoarthritis

Abstract Background Advanced to end-stage ankle osteoarthritis in highly active older individuals has traditionally been treated using tibiotalar arthrodesis. Tibiotalar arthrodesis is possible to have high levels of pain-free function, however there is loss of ankle joint movement and a risk of arthrosis of adjacent joints in the future. Distraction arthroplasty is a simple method with a possibility of the joint cartilage repair but current results are mixed with reports of patients with better pain scores and some without any improvement. Distal tibial osteotomy (DTO) without fibular osteotomy, a type of joint preservation surgery, has garnered attention in recent years, However, as far as we know, there are no reports on DTO with joint distraction using a circular external fixator. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of DTO with joint distraction using a circular external fixator on ankle osteoarthritis.Materials and Methods A total of 21 patients with medial ankle arthritis were examined. Arthroscopic synovectomy and a microfracture procedure were performed. Then angled osteotomy and correction of the distal tibia were performed. After ankle conditions improved, the stabilization of the ankle joint was performed. An external fixator was used in all patients. In addition, joint distraction of about 5.8 mm was performed. All patients were allowed full weight-bearing walking immediately after surgery.Results Antero-posterior mortise angle during weight-bearing, lateral mortise angle during weight-bearing, and talar tilt angle and anterior translation of the talus in ankle stress radiography significantly improved (P < 0.05). In addition, signal changes in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) improved in all patients. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS ) and The American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) scores also improved significantly (P < 0.05). No severe complications were observed.Conclusion DTO with joint distraction may be useful for older patients with a high physical activity level as joint preserving surgery for medial ankle osteoarthritis.