Retrospective cohort study of 390 patients (406 ankles) with painful end-stage ankle OA at a tertiary center, asking: what are the relative frequencies of posttraumatic, secondary, and primary OA, and how do clinical and radiographic features differ across these groups?
When you see ankle arthritis, expect a posttraumatic history in roughly 8 of 10 patients — ask specifically about prior fractures and ankle sprains, since ligament instability alone accounts for 16% of cases.
On the weight-bearing AP radiograph, anticipate varus malalignment in more than half of patients regardless of cause, and factor this into your surgical planning for arthroplasty or fusion.
Retrospective cohort study of 390 patients (406 ankles) with painful end-stage ankle OA at a tertiary center, asking: what are the relative frequencies of posttraumatic, secondary, and primary OA, and how do clinical and radiographic features differ across these groups?
When you see ankle arthritis, expect a posttraumatic history in roughly 8 of 10 patients — ask specifically about prior fractures and ankle sprains, since ligament instability alone accounts for 16% of cases.
On the weight-bearing AP radiograph, anticipate varus malalignment in more than half of patients regardless of cause, and factor this into your surgical planning for arthroplasty or fusion.