Results of Step-Cut Medial Malleolar Osteotomy

BACKGROUND: Treatment of certain complex ankle pathology, such as a talar body fracture or osteochondral lesion requiring grafting, can necessitate medial malleolar osteotomy for adequate operative exposure. This paper evaluates the step-cut medial malleolar osteotomy for exposure of the ankle joint. METHOD: Fourteen patients with intra-articular pathology, including talar body fractures or osteochondral lesions necessitating extensive intra-articular exposure had step-cut malleolar osteotomy. The average age of the patients was 37 (range 20-90) years, and the average followup was 8 months. RESULTS: All 14 patients had an uncomplicated intraoperative course, with excellent exposure of the ankle joint. All patients had prompt healing of the osteotomy by 6 weeks after surgery without loss of reduction. None of the patients had pain at the osteotomy site. CONCLUSIONS: Step-cut medial malleolar osteotomy is an excellent, reproducible method for extensive exposure of the talar dome.