The use of three-dimensional biometric Foot and Ankle Offset to predict additional realignment procedures in total ankle replacement

Background: Decision to perform associated corrective alignment procedures in patients undergoing total ankle replacement (TAR) is commonly made intraoperatively. The Foot and Ankle Offset (FAO) can evaluate multiplanar deformity and be an effective instrument in surgical planning. This study objective was to assess the ability of this tool to predict the need for additional realignment procedures at the time of TAR.Methods: In this retrospective study, we enrolled 21 patients who underwent TAR and had preoperative WBCT studies. Two independent and blinded observers calculated the preoperative FAO using dedicated software. FAO measurements were compared between the different alignment groups (physiological alignment, valgus and varus). A multivariate regression analysis was used to assess the correlation between performed realignment procedures and FAO values.Results: Mean preoperative FAO was 4.4% (95%CI = 1.4-7.5). The number of osseous realignment procedures needed was found to correlate positively and significantly with FAO (p = .001). The number of osseus procedures needed was significantly higher in patients with valgus malalignment (p = .009). Patients with valgus malalignment needing a medial column procedure had a relative risk of 6.3 when compared to varus malalignment patients (p = .02).Conclusion: The number of additional bony realignment procedures performed at the time of TAR sig-nificantly correlated with preoperative FAO and that the number of osseus procedures needed was sig-nificantly higher in patients with valgus malalignment. Such biometric tools may enhance the preoperative assessment and surgical planning for patients undergoing TAR, with the potential to optimize surgical outcomes.(c) 2022 European Foot and Ankle Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The study evaluated the ability of Foot and Ankle Offset (FAO) in predicting the need for additional realignment procedures during total ankle replacement (TAR). The results showed a positive correlation between preoperative FAO values and the number of performed realignment procedures, particularly in patients with valgus malalignment. This suggests that biometric tools like FAO can improve preoperative assessment and surgical planning in TAR, potentially leading to better surgical outcomes.