Journal List > J Korean Foot Ankle Soc > v.18(4) > 1043309

Choi and Suh: Low Tibial Osteotomy

Abstract

Low tibial osteotomy is an extra-articular procedure that realigns the mechanical axis, restoring ankle function. It is also an alternative surgical procedure to manage early osteoarthritis of the ankle joint. This can mainly address ankle varus/valgus, as well as procurvatum/ recurvatum, internal/external rotation, equinus, calcaneus, and limb length discrepancy. The authors describe the history, mechanism, indications, and limitations of low tibial osteotomy focused on osteoarthritis of the ankle with varus malalignment reviewing several articles published thus far.

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Figure 1.
(A) Tibial anterior surface angle (TAS) is the angle between tibial axis and distal tibial articular surface on the weightbearing anteroposterior image. (B) Tibial-lateral surface angle (TLS) is the same angle on the weight-bearing lateral image.
jkfas-18-141f1.tif
Table 1.
Different Results of Low Tibial Osteotomy Varied by Authors
Study First author Follow-up Main conclusion
1 Takakura32) 6 yr 11 mo 18 patients
Outcome: “excellent” 6, “good” 9, “fair” 3
TAS 82.3o→93.8o; TLS 77.4o→81.6o
2 Cheng38) 47.7 mo 18 ankles (6 posttraumatic)
Outcome: rating scale 49.6→88.5; outerbridge classification grade 3, 4→1, 2
TAS 81o→90o; TLS 79o→82o
3 Tanaka33) 8 yr 3 mo 25 patients (26 ankles); Takakura stage 2: 3 ankles, 3a: 11 ankles, 3b: 12 ankles
Outcome: clinical score 51→79
TAS 82.7o→98.2o; TLS 78.5o→84.7o; varus tilt angle 7.3o→5.0o
4 Lee36) 2 yr 3 mo 16 ankles
Outcome: AOFAS score 62.3→82.1; Takakura stage 2.9→2.3
Talar tilt 6.6o→4.5o; TAS 84.7o→99.6o; TLS 74.9o→84.8o
5 Park50) 2 yr 2 mo 9 patients; Takakura stage 2: 1 patient, 3a: 8 patients
Outcome: AOFAS score 59→89.3; VAS 6.5→0.6
TAS 83.1o→93.5o; TLS 73o→79o; talar tilt 4.3o→2.4o
6 Pagenstert21) 35 patients; TARA/ankle fusion was postponed in 91%
7 Knupp51) 45 mo 29 patients; all posttraumatic varus osteoarthritis
Operative performed: 17 medial opening osteotomy, 12 lateral closing osteotomy
Outcome: AOFAS score 52→73; VAS 4.4→2.6

TAS: tibial anterior surface angle, TLS: tibial lateral surface angle, AOFAS: American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society, VAS: visual analogue scale

TARA: total ankle replacement arthroplasty.

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