Research Article

Mid- and Long-Term Outcomes of Tibiotalar, Triple, and Tibiotalocalcaneal Arthrodesis for Advanced Ankle Osteoarthritis

Volume: 28 Number: 2 August 21, 2026

Mid- and Long-Term Outcomes of Tibiotalar, Triple, and Tibiotalocalcaneal Arthrodesis for Advanced Ankle Osteoarthritis

Abstract

Aim: To compare mid- to long-term outcomes of tibiotalar arthrodesis (TTA), triple arthrodesis (TA), and tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis (TTCA). Outcomes included the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score, visual analog scale (VAS), complications, revision, and adjacent joint osteoarthritis.

Material and Methods: This retrospective study included 32 patients who underwent arthrodesis between 2015 and 2024: TTA with cannulated screws (n=15), TA with cannulated screws and staples (n=8), or TTCA with a retrograde intramedullary nail (n=9). Follow-up duration was 4.0 (2.75–7.0) [1–10] years. Functional outcomes were assessed using the AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score and VAS. Complications, revision surgery, and adjacent joint osteoarthritis were also evaluated.

Results: AOFAS scores were comparable among groups (p=0.542), whereas VAS scores differed significantly (p=0.037). Post hoc comparisons showed lower VAS scores after TTCA than after TA (adjusted p=0.036); TTA did not differ from TA (p=0.305) or TTCA (p=0.135). Postoperative complications occurred in three TTA patients (20.0%), no TA patients, and one TTCA patient (11.1%), without a group difference (p=0.670). One TTA patient underwent revision for nonunion; revision rates were comparable (p=1.000). Adjacent joint osteoarthritis occurred in one patient.

Conclusion: The procedures provided comparable AOFAS scores and low complication and revision rates. TTCA was associated with lower pain than TA, but this finding requires caution given the retrospective design, small groups, and differing indications. Procedure selection should reflect joint involvement, deformity, bone quality, and patient characteristics.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

This study was approved by the Düzce University Non-Interventional Health Research Ethics Committee (Approval No: 2026/62), and written informed consent was obtained from all participants prior to their inclusion in the study.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Orthopaedics

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

August 21, 2026

Submission Date

March 11, 2026

Acceptance Date

July 29, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 28 Number: 2

APA
Dalaslan, R. E., Yücel, M. O., Sağlam, S., Arıcan, M., Karaduman, Z. O., & Uludağ, V. (2026). Mid- and Long-Term Outcomes of Tibiotalar, Triple, and Tibiotalocalcaneal Arthrodesis for Advanced Ankle Osteoarthritis. Duzce Medical Journal, 28(2), 174-180. https://doi.org/10.18678/dtfd.1890432
AMA
1.Dalaslan RE, Yücel MO, Sağlam S, Arıcan M, Karaduman ZO, Uludağ V. Mid- and Long-Term Outcomes of Tibiotalar, Triple, and Tibiotalocalcaneal Arthrodesis for Advanced Ankle Osteoarthritis. Duzce Med J. 2026;28(2):174-180. doi:10.18678/dtfd.1890432
Chicago
Dalaslan, Raşit Emin, Mücahid Osman Yücel, Sönmez Sağlam, Mehmet Arıcan, Zekeriya Okan Karaduman, and Veysel Uludağ. 2026. “Mid- and Long-Term Outcomes of Tibiotalar, Triple, and Tibiotalocalcaneal Arthrodesis for Advanced Ankle Osteoarthritis”. Duzce Medical Journal 28 (2): 174-80. https://doi.org/10.18678/dtfd.1890432.
EndNote
Dalaslan RE, Yücel MO, Sağlam S, Arıcan M, Karaduman ZO, Uludağ V (August 1, 2026) Mid- and Long-Term Outcomes of Tibiotalar, Triple, and Tibiotalocalcaneal Arthrodesis for Advanced Ankle Osteoarthritis. Duzce Medical Journal 28 2 174–180.
IEEE
[1]R. E. Dalaslan, M. O. Yücel, S. Sağlam, M. Arıcan, Z. O. Karaduman, and V. Uludağ, “Mid- and Long-Term Outcomes of Tibiotalar, Triple, and Tibiotalocalcaneal Arthrodesis for Advanced Ankle Osteoarthritis”, Duzce Med J, vol. 28, no. 2, pp. 174–180, Aug. 2026, doi: 10.18678/dtfd.1890432.
ISNAD
Dalaslan, Raşit Emin - Yücel, Mücahid Osman - Sağlam, Sönmez - Arıcan, Mehmet - Karaduman, Zekeriya Okan - Uludağ, Veysel. “Mid- and Long-Term Outcomes of Tibiotalar, Triple, and Tibiotalocalcaneal Arthrodesis for Advanced Ankle Osteoarthritis”. Duzce Medical Journal 28/2 (August 1, 2026): 174-180. https://doi.org/10.18678/dtfd.1890432.
JAMA
1.Dalaslan RE, Yücel MO, Sağlam S, Arıcan M, Karaduman ZO, Uludağ V. Mid- and Long-Term Outcomes of Tibiotalar, Triple, and Tibiotalocalcaneal Arthrodesis for Advanced Ankle Osteoarthritis. Duzce Med J. 2026;28:174–180.
MLA
Dalaslan, Raşit Emin, et al. “Mid- and Long-Term Outcomes of Tibiotalar, Triple, and Tibiotalocalcaneal Arthrodesis for Advanced Ankle Osteoarthritis”. Duzce Medical Journal, vol. 28, no. 2, Aug. 2026, pp. 174-80, doi:10.18678/dtfd.1890432.
Vancouver
1.Raşit Emin Dalaslan, Mücahid Osman Yücel, Sönmez Sağlam, Mehmet Arıcan, Zekeriya Okan Karaduman, Veysel Uludağ. Mid- and Long-Term Outcomes of Tibiotalar, Triple, and Tibiotalocalcaneal Arthrodesis for Advanced Ankle Osteoarthritis. Duzce Med J. 2026 Aug. 1;28(2):174-80. doi:10.18678/dtfd.1890432