Early results of intramedullary nail fixation in distal tibia oblique osteotomy for the reduction of soft tissue complications

Purpose: During distal tibial oblique osteotomy, external fixators can increase pin site infection risk, whereas plates can cause wound necrosis, necessitating a compromise between soft-tissue position and length. We provide the first report of the early results of intramedullary nail fixation in these osteotomies for avoiding soft tissue complications. Methods: Ten ankles, classed as Takakura–Tanaka stages 3a to 4 and unclassified and treated via distal tibial oblique osteotomy for ankle osteoarthritis between 2017 and 2021, were included. Osteotomy was performed obliquely from the distal medial tibia to the tibiofibular joint. The distal tibial fragment was rotated distally in the coronal plane for realignment. An intramedullary nail fixation was applied for stabilization. The resulting gap was filled with iliac bone graft. Ankles were evaluated on the Japanese Society for Surgery of the Foot ankle–Hindfoot Scale and Self-Administered Foot Evaluation Questionnaire before surgery and at final follow-up. Radiographic assessments were performed. Results: Bone union was achieved within 3 months in all patients. There were no cases of wound necrosis or correction loss postsurgery. Japanese Society scale scores significantly improved from 40.3 ± 15.9 to 87.5 ± 12.6 (P < 0.01). Mean self-evaluation scale scores (pain and pain-related, physical functioning and daily living, social functioning, general health and well-being) improved significantly. shoe-related scores did not change significantly but improved. There was no correction loss after surgery, with an average widening of 24.2 mm and opening angle of 22.6° at the osteotomy site. Conclusion: Our study showed that intramedullary nail for fixation of the osteotomy site in distal tibial oblique osteotomy effectively prevents soft tissues complications even in osteotomy sites with large openings.