Supramalleolar osteotomies for ankle arthritis

Ankle arthrosis still poses a challenge to foot and ankle surgeons worldwide. There are many options either conservative or surgical to address this issue, but there is no one correct answer. For diffuse ankle arthritis, ankle fusion has remained the gold standard, although ankle arthroplasty has resurged with good results. Lately, the use of supramalleolar osteotomies for localized ankle arthrosis or when the talus cartilage degeneration is under 50%, has given a new perspective on this pathology, where we can decrease pain and improve function increasing load on healthier areas of cartilage and decreasing load on diseased areas. The results of these techniques (supramalleolar osteotomies) are evolving, and currently they are an option to delay salvage surgeries as ankle fusion or replacement.