Functional results and complication analysis after total ankle replacement: early to medium-term results from a Portuguese and Spanish prospective multicentric study.

BACKGROUND: Ankle arthroplasty is increasingly being used to treat end-stage ankle osteoarthritis.

METHODS: Between January 2005 and January 2011, 159 patients have been included in an ongoing prospective multicentric study analysing the results of total ankle arthroplasty in Portugal and Spain. 119 patients (119 replacements) were available for review and were evaluated for range of motion (ROM), clinical status (American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score), complications and survivorship rate.

RESULTS: Mean follow-up was 39 months. A total of 17 complications were reported, with 7 leading to subsequent surgery (94.1% survivorship rate). Of these, there were two infections (98.3% survivorship rate), two painful subtalar arthritis, one instability, one malalignment and one tibial bone cyst. Complications not requiring further surgery were 6 intra-operative malleolar fractures and 4 cases of skin necrosis.

CONCLUSIONS: Adequate patient selection and a thorough knowledge of the surgical technique are mandatory to reduce the number of complications and increase ankle arthroplasty survivorship.