An analysis of the use of the Kellgren and Lawrence grading system to evaluate peritalar arthritis following total ankle arthroplasty.

Background:The Kellgren and Lawrence grading system (KLGS) has been used throughout the literature for the radiographic staging of osteoarthritis (OA) of the peritalar joints. Despite its widespread use, the KLGS has never been validated for use in this clinical circumstance. The purpose of this study was to determine the inter- and intrarater reliability of the KLGS in the assessment of radiographic progression of OA in the peritalar joints following total ankle replacement (TAR).Methods:One hundred twenty pre- and minimum 5-year postoperative weight-bearing lateral radiographs following 60 consecutive cases of TAR were utilized. Each individual film was considered separately for the purposes of this study. Of those films, 93 and 98 were found to have adequate visualization of the subtalar (STJ) and talonavicular (TNJ) joints, respectively. Three qualified reviewers graded the films according to the KLGS on 2 separate occasions, with 1 month separating the 2 readings. The results were analyzed for intra-...