Techniques for managing varus and valgus malalignment during total ankle replacement

The ultimate goal of primary total ankle replacement is to provide a well-balanced soft-tissue envelope around a well-aligned, well-fixated implant. Some surgeons have emphasized that good outcomes in total ankle replacement are more dependent on ligament balancing, along with the procedure itself, than the extent of preoperative coronal deformity in the ankle. Thus, it is imperative that the surgeon be familiar with additional procedures to address the varus, valgus, and other associated deformities commonly encountered in primary total ankle replacement.