Malalignment and Lateral Ankle Instability: Causes of Failure from the Varus Tibia to the Cavovarus Foot

Abstract

A lower leg or hindfoot varus malalignment is a frequently encountered but underestimated cause of chronic ankle instability and ankle arthritis in the long term. When evaluating patients with ankle instability, a high index of clinical suspicion for tibia and hindfoot malalignment and subsequent biomechanics should be maintained. Management of lateral ankle instability in the presence of varus malalignment must comprise a generous indication for accurate hindfoot realignment. In young and active patients, realignment should be combined with formal lateral ligamentous repair.