Bone Mineral Density in the Distal Tibia and in the Os Calcis After Ankle Arthroplasty

Follow-up radiographs after ankle arthroplasty (AA) usually show an increasing radiating osteosclerosis in the distal tibia just above the tibial component Because radiographs have poor precision and accuracy in assessing bone mass [1], we have measured bone mineral density (BMD) by means of dual photon absorptiometry (DPA). BMD was measured in the distal tibia bilaterally on patients with ankle arthroplasty (AA) [Scandinavian total ankle replacement (STAR, Link, Hamburg, Germany)], Also, BMD of the os calcis was measured as an indicator of the loading of the legs.