[Supramalleolar osteotomy in asymmetric ankle osteoarthritis : Short-term clinical and radiographic results]

Mechanical Ankle Joint Axis Point on a Hip-to-Calcaneus Long Leg View Correlates Significantly With SPECT/CT Activation in Symptomatic Asymmetric Ankle Osteoarthritis

BACKGROUND

Asymmetric joint load is the main cause of development of ankle osteoarthritis (OA). Realignment surgery aims to transfer ankle joint load from the degenerative area toward the uninvolved area. Determination of the optimal shift is still challenging. When the degenerative area is correlated to the ankle joint mechanical axis establishing an optimal target angle for corrective surgery may become more feasible. The primary aim of our study was to investigate if the area of ankle joint activation on single-photon emission computed tomography and conventional computed tomography (SPECT/CT) imaging correlates with the mechanical ankle joint axis point (MAJAP).

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, patients 18 years or older with symptomatic asymmetric ankle OA and a hip-to-calcaneus long leg view with SPECT/CT of the affected ankle were eligible for inclusion. Primary outcome was MAJAP divided into 3 alignment categories (medial shift, neutral, lateral shift). SPECT/CT activation was determined in 8 different areas of the ankle joint. A Spearman rho correlation coefficient was calculated to investigate the relationship between the alignment categories and SPECT/CT activation in the 8 areas.

RESULTS

Forty-nine patients (mean age 58.8 [SD 10.0] years) with 52 ankles with moderate to severe asymmetric OA were included. A significantly (Spearman rho -0.379 [P = .006] and Spearman rho -0.279 [P = .045]) higher proportion of ankles with radioisotope uptake in the anteromedial ankle joint areas (zones 1 and 5) was seen in the medial shift category. A significantly (Spearman rho .312 (P = .025)) higher proportion of ankles with radioisotope uptake in the anterolateral ankle joint area (zone 8) was seen in the lateral shift category.

CONCLUSION

We found in this patient group that the area of SPECT/CT uptake in asymmetric ankle OA was associated to MAJAP measured on hip-to-calcaneus weightbearing views, although the strength of the correlation is weak to moderate. Consequently, nonweightbearing metabolic SPECT/CT radiotracer uptake has the potential to help determine the area to unload in ankle joint-preserving alignment surgery.

Is there an optimal degree of correction for ankle varus deformity after supramalleolar osteotomy? A systematic review

BACKGROUND

There is no consensus on the angle targeted for in varus ankle deformity after supramalleolar osteotomy (SMOT). The aim of this study was to investigate which obtained correction has the best clinical outcome after valgus SMOT.

METHODS

A systematic review according PRISMA guidelines was conducted with studies being eligible for inclusion when published in English, German or Dutch, patients older than 18 years at study entrance, primary or posttraumatic varus ankle osteoarthritis, using any valgus SMOT technique, describing radiological alignment and clinical outcome at baseline and after at least 12 months follow-up. Risk of bias was assessed using the McMaster University Occupational Therapy Evidence-Based Practice Research Group quality assessment tool. The electronical databases PubMed, EMBASE and Cinahl were used as data sources. Included cohorts were categorized according to the mean obtained medial distal tibia angle (MDTA; ranged between 87° and 100°). A linear mixed effect model was used for individual patient data to assess the association between the MDTA and the (difference in) clinical outcome.

RESULTS

Thirty studies including 33 patient cohorts with 922 ankles were identified. At a mean follow-up of 4 years no differences in clinical outcome between correction categories were found. Individual data of 34 ankles showed no relationship between obtained MDTA and clinical outcome either.

CONCLUSION

This review could not demonstrate an optimal degree of correction after valgus SMOT. Results were hampered by biased low quality studies and the widespread use of unreliable 2D alignment measures such as the MDTA.

Rückfußchirurgie am arthritischen und arthrotischen Fuß

Obwohl der Rückfuß sowohl bei an Osteoarthrose Erkrankten als auch in über 90% bei Rheumapatienten betroffen ist, steht er seltener im Fokus der Aufmerksamkeit als andere Gelenke. Veränderungen sollten frühzeitig und regelmäßig erfasst und therapiert werden, um die Mobilität nicht zu gefährden. Den Fehlstellungen im Rückfuß (z. B. der klassische Pes planovalgus) oder bei den Mittelfuß-Pathologien wie den Veränderungen des talonavikularen Gelenkes, liegen bei der Arthrose andere pathologische Prozesse zugrunde als entzündlich-rheumatischen Erkrankungen. Als Folge werden Letztere anders therapiert bzw. operiert werden als bei primär degenerativen Veränderungen. Anfangs besteht die Therapie der Wahl in der Orthopädie-(schuh-)technischen Versorgung. Gelenkerhaltender Operationen sind meist nur bei Arthrosepatienten möglich. Bei Rheumatikern sind die Gelenkflächen bereits frühzeitig geschädigt, so dass nur Arthrodesen erfolgsversprechend sind. Gleichzeitig ist die operative Versorgung früher und „aggressiver“ zu stellen als bei an Arthrose erkrankten Patienten. Bei der Planung und Entscheidung für eine operative Therapie sollte immer auch eine begleitende Osteoporose berücksichtigt werden.

[Conversion osteotomy for arthrosis of the ankle joint (supramalleolar and inframalleolar)-What can be expected? : Critical review of the literature]

The aim of supramalleolar conversion osteotomy is to reduce the pain of the patient and stop or at least slow down joint degeneration. The indication for supramalleolar osteotomy is asymmetric osteoarthritis of the ankle joint with varus or valgus deformity. Good clinical results for arthritis can be achieved in the early or middle stages. Besides closing and opening wedge osteotomies dome osteotomy is sometimes indicated, especially for larger deformities. The preoperative preparation of individual patient-specific section blocks facilitates the intraoperative implementation and seems to increase the precision. Further studies are necessary to support this. The indications for additional procedures, such as fibular osteotomy are still being discussed. Inframalleolar osteotomy and soft tissue interventions are frequently necessary for balancing the foot.

Can a fibular malunion be corrected by a Z-shaped fibular osteotomy?

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to assess the short-term clinical and radiographic outcomes in patients who underwent realigning Z‑shaped fibular osteotomy.

METHODS

Between January 2007 and December 2014, 28 patients with a painful fibular malunion underwent a Z-shaped realignment fibular osteotomy. The mean age was 42.2 ± 14.1 years (range 19.1-67.8 years) and the mean follow-up was 7.0 ± 1.7 years (range 4.0-9.7 years), with no loss to follow-up. Weight-bearing radiographs were used to determine the distal fibula alignment based on Weber's criteria. Degenerative changes of the tibiotalar joint were assessed using the Kellgren-Lawrence scale. Clinical assessment included pain evaluation, measurement of ankle range of motion (ROM), sports activities, and quality of life outcomes.

RESULTS

There were no intraoperative or perioperative complications. No delayed unions or nonunions were observed. One patient had radiographic progression of degenerative changes in the tibiotalar joint. Postoperative complications included removal of hardware (n = 15) and arthroscopic tibiotalar joint debridement (n = 2). At the last follow-up the mean visual analog scale (VAS) decreased from 6.5 ± 1.1 to 2.1 ± 1.1 (p < 0.001),the ROM improved from 39º ± 6º to 45º ± 4.5º (p < 0.001), the short form health survey questionnaire (SF-36) physical and mental outcome scores improved from 49 ± 8 to 84 ± 7 (p < 0.001) and from 61 ± 4 to 83 ± 5 (p < 0.001), respectively.

CONCLUSION

The Z‑shaped realignment osteotomy of the distal fibula can provide pain relief and functional improvement in the treatment of fibular malunion. Further studies are needed to address long-term outcomes in this patient cohort.

Joint-Preserving Procedures in Patients with Varus Deformity: Role of Supramalleolar Osteotomies

The most common cause for end-stage ankle osteoarthritis is posttraumatic, sometimes resulting from concomitant supramalleolar deformity. Aims of the supramalleolar osteotomy include restoring the lower-leg axis to improve intraarticular load distribution and retarding degeneration of the tibiotalar joint. Preoperative planning is based on conventional weight-bearing radiographs. Often advanced imaging, including computed tomography and/or MRI, is needed for a better understanding of the underlying problem. Postoperative complications are not uncommon, including progression of tibiotalar osteoarthritis in up to 25% within 5 years of all patients who have supramalleolar osteotomies.