From Arthroereisis to Osteoereisis: A Nomenclature Proposal for a Misnamed Surgical Procedure

The surgical procedure currently known as arthroereisis has been performed for decades as a treatment for recurrent adult-acquired and pediatric flexible talotarsal deformity, yet its name has never been formally challenged despite being etymologically and anatomically inaccurate. The term derives from the Greek arthro (joint) and ereisis (to lift or support), implying joint-level action that does not occur — the sinus tarsi implant acts not on a joint surface but on the talar body itself, physically elevating and realigning the talus as a whole bone and producing a cascade of pantalar corrections across the subtalar, talonavicular, calcaneocuboid, and talocrural joints simultaneously. Radiographic evidence from unilateral cases demonstrates measurable talar elevation of 1.8 cm between treated and untreated limbs on weight-bearing views, confirming that the corrective effect is osseous, not articular. This article proposes the adoption of the term osteoereisis — from the Greek osteo (bone) and ereisis (to lift or support) — as an anatomically precise replacement that correctly identifies the talus as the primary object of surgical effect and more fully reflects the pantalar scope of the correction achieved. The author invites collegial discussion of this proposal within the podiatric and foot and ankle surgical community.