A significant portion of ankle arthroplasty and ankle arthrodesis procedures performed in British Columbia are funded by the public medical services plan (MSP). However, some patients are treated privately through self-pay or by the workers compensation board (WCB), with the latter two groups being more likely to receive treatment sooner. The potential effect of payer on patient-reported outcomes and reoperation rates has not been previously explored. A retrospective chart review was performed using data from the Canadian Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Prospective Ankle Reconstruction Database. N=443 patients (393 MSP, 26 self-pay, 24 WCB), treated with total ankle replacement or ankle arthrodesis by three subspecialty-trained surgeons in Vancouver from 1999–2003, were analyzed. Outcomes were compared, by payer, preoperatively and at long-term follow-up (6.3 years, range 2–14 years). Function was assessed using the Ankle Osteoarthritis Scale (AOS) Total score (primary outcome) and the AOS Pain and Difficulty subscores. Expectation and satisfaction with symptoms was assessed using the Musculoskeletal Outcomes Data Evaluation and Management Scale, and physical and emotional quality of life was assessed using the Short Form-36 (SF-36) Health Survey in terms of the mental component summary (MCS) and physical component summary (PCS). Swelling and reoperation rates were also compared. AOS Total score was not significantly different between payers. WCB patients had significantly worse preoperative AOS Difficulty scores (73, 95%CI 65–80) compared to MSP (65, CI 63–67) and self-pay patients (56, CI 49–63)(p < 0 .008). Their SF-36 MCS scores were also significantly worse pre- and postoperatively (WCB: 43, CI 38–49, 45, CI 40–50, MSP: 51, CI 50–52, 51, CI 50–52, self-pay: 51, CI 46–56, 54, CI 49–58)(p < 0 .03). AOS Pain scores and SF-36 PCS scores were not different. Pre- and postoperatively, MSP patients reported more satisfaction with symptoms (1.31, CI 1.24–1.38, 3.21, CI 3.07–3.35), compared to WCB (1.13, CI 0.84–1.41, 2.83, CI 2.26–3.41) and self-pay patients (1.19, CI 0.91–1.47, 2.88, CI 2.33–3.44). Preoperatively, WCB patients had the lowest expectations (76, CI 69–84), the worst AOS Total (64, CI 57–71) and SF-36 scores (MCS 43, CI 38–49, PCS 28, CI, 25–32), and the most swelling (3.5, CI 3.1–4). Conversely, self-pay patients had the highest preoperative expectations (88, CI 81–95), the best AOS Total (53, CI 46–60) and SF-36 scores (MCS 51, CI 46–56, PCS: 34, CI 30–37) and the least swelling (3, CI 2.6–3.4). Postoperatively, WCB and self-pay patients had lower expectations met (35, CI 23–47 and 40, CI 28–51) and worse AOS Total scores (36, CI 27–45 and 35, 26–43), compared to MSP patients (Expectations: 29, CI 26–32, AOS Total: 31, CI 29–33). Reoperation rates were similar among groups. WCB patients had significantly more difficulty with symptoms prior to surgery and worse SF-36 MCS scores pre- and postoperatively. The preoperative expectations of WCB patients were lowest, while those of self-pay patients were highest. Both groups had lower expectations met postoperatively.
The failure rate of total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) in rheumatoid patients may be higher than in osteoarthritis patients due to the medications used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and the comorbidities associated with this disease. The purpose of this study was to prospectively look at the intermediate-term outcomes of TAA in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and to compare the results to a matched cohort of patients with ankle osteoarthritis undergoing TAA. This study is a prospective, multicentre comparison study of patients two to eight years post-TAA. A cohort of 57 patients with rheumatoid arthritis was identified from the prospective national database of TAAs (RA group). Matched controls were identified in the database using age, type of prosthesis, and follow-up time as matching criteria (OA group). The following data was collected: demographic information, previous and additional surgeries at the time of TAA and major and minor complications including revisions. Generic and disease specific, validated outcome scores collected include the Short-Form 36 (SF36) and Ankle Osteoarthritis Score (AOS).Purpose
Method
Total Ankle Replacement (TAR) is increasingly being offered to patients as an alternative to arthrodesis for the operative management of debilitating end-stage ankle arthritis. The Mobility Total Ankle System is a third-generation design consisting of a three component, cementless, unconstrained, mobile-bearing prosthesis. This study reports the early results of a multi-centre prospective study of the Mobility prosthesis. This is the first such report by independent researchers. The senior authors implanted 86 consecutive Mobility prostheses. The underlying diagnosis was primary OA in 24 ankles, secondary OA in 47 ankles and inflammatory arthritis in 15 ankles. There were 41 males (Mean age 67 / Range 51–87) and 44 females (Mean age 60 / Range 29–72). The mean BMI was 28 (Range 22–36) for males, and 28 (Range 20–39) for females. Previous ankle operations were performed in 24 patients, 22 of which were for fracture fixation. Ankles were classified according to the COFAS end-stage ankle arthritis classification system. Coronal plane deformity was quantified pre-operatively. Clinical outcome was assessed using the AOFAS hindfoot score. Radiological assessment was performed from weight-bearing radiographs, documenting post-operative alignment, osseous integration, edge-loading and heterotopic bone formation. The mean follow-up time was 40 months (Range 30–60). Survival analysis was calculated according to the Kaplan-Meier method. Failure was defined as exchange of any component of the TAR, arthrodesis or amputation.Purpose
Method
