Dorsal Calcaneal Wedge Removal in Zadek Osteotomy: A Cadaveric Study

Category: Hindfoot; Ankle Introduction/Purpose: Insertional Achilles tendinopathy (IAT) is a common pathology with multiple surgical interventions available for treatment. The Zadek, dorsal closing wedge calcaneal osteotomy (ZO) has been demonstrated to be effective treatment of IAT. There have been various recommendations in the literature as to what measurement of wedge removal should be considered ideal to produce greatest postoperative range of motion (ROM), thus postoperative biomechanical potential. Accordingly, the purpose of this cadaveric study was to assess the range of motion achieved after various measurements of wedge removal by ZO. Methods: The ZO was performed on six cadaveric specimens. A 7.5mm and 15mm osteotomy was marked and sequentially completed on each specimen. Lateral fluoroscopic imaging was utilized to take preoperative and postoperative ROM measurements for each osteotomy. Dorsiflexion (DF) and plantarflexion (PF) ROM arcs were measured for each wedge size and compared by t-test. Effect sizes were calculated by Cohen’s d analysis. Results: Maximal DF was 110.87±12.97 deg in the pre-osteotomy state. Removal of a 7.5mm wedge improved DF by 8 deg to a mean 102.93±13.81 deg (p=0.08). Removal of a 15mm wedge improved DF by 16 deg to a mean 95.96±11.41 deg (p=0.003). Cohen’s d and effect size calculation demonstrated a 7.5mm wedge to have a small effect on DF, while a 15mm wedge had a medium effect (0.29, 0.52 respectively). Maximal PF did not change significantly amongst the pre-osteotomy, 7.5mm wedge, or 15mm wedge positions. ICC was 0.96. Conclusion: Based on the results presented in this study, removal of a 15mm wedge with ZO yields significant and greater improvement in ROM than a 7.5mm wedge. We hope the current study will better inform preoperative planning for ZO.