Comparison of changes in the ankle after unicondylar knee arthroplasty and high tibial osteotomy.

Objectives:We aimed to compare the changes in the coronal alignment of the ankle joints and their clinical effects after high tibial osteotomy (HTO) and unicondylar knee arthroplasty (UKA). Methods:50 HTO and 54 UKA patients who were operated on for medial knee osteoarthritis between 2013 and 2018 were retrospectively evaluated. The hip-knee-ankle angle (HKA), the medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA), the tibial plafond inclination (TPI) and the talar inclination (TI) angles were measured before and after operation. Visual analog scale (VAS), short form 36 (SF-36), and ankle-hindfoot scale (AHS) scores of both groups were evaluated and recorded. Results:Angular changes in the HKA, MPTA, TPI and TI values showed significantly greater values in the HTO group (p<0.001). When asymptomatic and symptomatic cases were compared, it was found that changes in the HKA, TPI and TI values were significantly greater in symptomatic cases in the HTO group (p<0.05). A significant decline was observed in the VAS, SF-36 and AHS scores in the HTO group in the postoperative period (p<0.05). In intergroup evaluations, a significant decline was detected in pain and functional scores of the HTO group when compared to the UKA group (p<0.05). Conclusion:Unicondylar knee arthroplasty can be a good alternative to HTO in selected cases for postoperative ankle complaints. Level of Evidence III; Therapeutic Studies Investigating the Results of Treatment.