Comparison of supramalleolar and inframalleolar correction for Takakura stage IIIB ankle arthritis in a single patient

Abstract

A man in his early 60s with bilateral Takakura stage IIIB varus ankle arthritis underwent calcaneal osteotomy on the right side and supramalleolar osteotomy (SMO) with fibular osteotomy on the left side. Both sides underwent identical procedures, including multiple drilling of the denuded talar dome and gutter, deltoid ligament release, anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) reconstruction and posterior tibial tendon (PTT) lengthening. This aimed to minimise patient-related factors when assessing correction efficacy. Both procedures demonstrated a similar degree of improvement in talar tilt. Supramalleolar correction contributed more significantly to lateralising the talar centre, while greater improvement in preoperative hindfoot varus was achieved through inframalleolar correction.