Outcomes of Total Ankle Arthroplasty in Moderate and Severe Valgus Deformity

Introduction. Failure to correct coronal deformity at the time of total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) can lead to early implant failure. We aimed to determine clinical, radiographic, and patient-reported outcomes of patients with moderate to severe valgus deformity who underwent TAA for end-stage ankle arthritis. Methods. Patients with a valgus deformity of at least 10 degrees who underwent TAA were retrospectively reviewed. The coronal tibiotalar angle was assessed on radiographs preoperatively, at 1 year, and at final follow-up. The visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, Short Form-36 (SF-36), American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) hindfoot-ankle scale, and Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment (SMFA) scores were assessed preoperatively and at final follow-up. Results. Mean preoperative valgus deformity was 15.5 +/- 5.0 degrees, and was corrected to a mean of 1.2 +/- 2.6 degrees of valgus postoperatively. VAS, SF-36, AOFAS, and SMFA scores improved significantly (P < .001 for all). There was no significant change in tibiotalar angle between 1 year and final follow-up in either group. Reoperation and revision rates did not differ between groups. Conclusion. Correction of coronal alignment was achieved and maintained in patients with both moderate and severe preoperative valgus malalignment. Outcome scores significantly improved for all patients.