Abstract
Introduction
Surgeons, commissioners and patients are increasingly seeking more in depth details on outcomes of total ankle replacement (TAR). We set out to perform a detailed and up to date meta-analysis of the outcomes of TAR, with a focus on PROMS.
Methods
We searched MEDLINE, Cochrane, EMBASE, CINAHL and the Science Citation Index databases using the terms “total”; “ankle”; “arthroplasty” or “replacement” to April 2012. We included all languages; series with greater than 20 TAR; minimum 2 years follow-up. We excluded papers on revisions; prostheses no longer marketed; and kin studies. We worked with the Cochrane Collaboration to adopt their methodology including the creation of a risk profile assessing all forms of bias.
Results
Of 1841 papers identified, 51 remained for analysis, with a pool of 6719 patients. The mean patient age was 59.3(17–95) and mean BMI was 28.8(19.4–44). 53% of patients were male. The most common indication was posttraumatic osteoarthritis. The majority of the studies were level IV and more than half the studies had several forms of bias.
Intraoperative complication rate was 9%, with medial malleolar fracture (4.4%) being the most common.
The pooled mean pre-op VAS was 7.6 which improved to 1.5 at 4–5 years. The mean pre-op AOFAS was 39.7, improving to 79.9 for up-to 10 years.
Range-of-motion increased after TAR from 22.8° preoperatively to 33.6° postoperatively.
Radiographic abnormalities were found in 22% of cases with a mean follow up of 53 months, of which 7.9% were re-operated upon.
Gait velocity, cadence, stride length and power all improve following TAR.
Survival at 8–10 years was 89.4%, with a cumulative failure rate of 1.9%.
Conclusion
This is the most comprehensive meta-analysis carried out on TAR to date. TAR provides patients with an increased range of motion and improvement postoperative PROMS maintained up to 10 years.
