title: Effect of supramalleolar varus and valgus deformities on the tibiotalar joint: a cadaveric study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Distal tibia coronal plane malalignment predisposes the ankle joint to asymmetric load. The purpose of this cadaveric study was to quantify changes in pressure and force transfer in an ankle with a supramalleolar deformity.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventeen cadaveric lower legs were loaded with 700 N after creating supramalleolar varus and valgus deformities. The fibula was left intact in 11 specimens and osteotomized in six. Tekscan© sensors were used to measure the tibiotalar pressure characteristics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In isolated supramalleolar deformity, the center of force and peak pressure moved in an anteromedial direction for valgus and posterolateral direction for varus deformities. The change was in an anteromedial direction for varus and in a posterolateral direction for valgus deformities in specimens with an osteotomized fibula.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Two essentially different groups of varus and valgus deformities of the ankle joint need to be distinguished. The first group is an isolated frontal plane deformity and the second group is a frontal plane deformity with associated incongruency of the ankle mortise.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings underline the complexity of asymmetric osteoarthritis of the ankle joint. In addition, results from this study provide useful information for future basic research on coronal plane deformity of the hindfoot and for determining appropriate surgical approaches.
authors: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Kantonsspital Liestal, CH-4410 Liestal, Switzerland. markus.knupp@ksli.ch
authors: Markus
authors: M
authors: Knupp
authors: Sjoerd A S
authors: SA
authors: Stufkens
authors: Christian J
authors: CJ
authors: van Bergen
authors: Leendert
authors: L
authors: Blankevoort
authors: Lilianna
authors: L
authors: Bolliger
authors: C N
authors: CN
authors: van Dijk
authors: Beat
authors: B
authors: Hintermann
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D017760:Bone Malalignment / Q000601:surgery*; D002102:Cadaver; D005260:Female; D005360:Fibula / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008023:Ligaments, Articular / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000379:methods*