TOTAL ANKLE REPLACEMENT – A SURVEY OF CURRENT PRACTICE OF FOOT & ANKLE SURGEONS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM

Abstract

Introduction: Surgical treatments for ankle arthritis include arthrodesis and total ankle replacement (TAR). Whilst arthrodesis has reasonable midterm results, longer term data has identified concerns, such as progressive arthritis of adjacent joints. There are more than 10 TAR designs available in Europe alone, each with limited published outcomes. In order to understand current practice and perceptions in relation to ankle replacement, a questionnaire based survey was carried out by email and post to all Consultant members of BOFAS based in the UK (n=180).

Results: 123 completed questionnaires were returned (68%). Thirty Seven (30%) respondents said they were not currently carrying out joint replacement. There was wide variation amongst surgeons in the types of prosthesis used. A small number of surgeons were responsible for the majority of the volume of TAR surgery carried out in the UK. The median number of ankle replacements carried out per year, by surgeons who are performing ankle replacement was 8 (range 1–55) compared to 13 (range 3–55) for ankle arthrodesis. 97.5% of respondents supported the creation of a national joint register for ankle replacements.

Conclusion: This is the first report of the current status quo in the UK with regards the use of total ankle replacement. It is estimated that at least 1281 ankle replacements are carried out per year in the UK. 72% of surgeons that are performing ankle replacements in the UK carry out less than 8 ankle replacements per year. Single surgeon reported series with such small numbers is unlikely to yield meaningful data. An increase in the number of surgeons performing ankle replacements coupled with a rapid proliferation in the number of available implants might lead to early failure and poor outcomes and this would point to the necessity for a National Joint Register for ankle replacements.