(iv) Hindfoot arthritis

Ankle and subtalar arthritis are commonly encountered by foot and ankle surgeons, but their prevalence is not as common as arthritis of the hip or knee.Trauma is the most common aetiology for both, but primary osteoarthritis and inflammatory arthropathies are also encountered.Clinical and radiological assessments are vital for correct diagnosis and for formulating an appropriate management plan. The recognition of abnormal alignment is particularly important as failure to do so will result in poor clinical outcomes of treatment.Both conditions can be managed using non-operative and operative treatment. Ankle arthritis in particular has generated much controversy with regards to the definitive treatments of arthrodesis and arthroplasty.