The standard practice of uncomplicated total ankle replacement (TAR) involves postoperative immobilisation. Periprosthetic fracture is a well-recognised complication following ankle We have 133 TARs with 3 to 48 months' follow-up. 28 patients were excluded for the following reasons: other major procedure performed concurrently (osteotomy or tendon transfer), custom prosthesis, revision surgery, fusion conversions, or patients involved in a separate RCT (n = 16). We do not routinely immobilise patients postoperatively but allow partial to full weight-bearing as able. Outcome scores were compared to those without fractures.Introduction
Materials and Methods
Postoperative pain following (Mobility TM) ankle arthroplasty (AA) is recognised problem. This study aimed to determine pattern of postoperative pain following Ankle arthroplasty (AA). In prospective observational study 135 patients who had (AA) and follow-up of 12–36 months were included. AOFAS ankle score, patients' satisfaction, SF36 and diagrammatic mapping of postoperative pain among other parameters were collected preoperatively and postoperatively at 3 months, 6 months and the annually. Patients with AOFAS of < 50 with postoperative ankle pain were examined in details.Background
Materials and Methods
The standard practice of uncomplicated total ankle replacement (TAR) involves post-operative immobilisation. Periprosthetic fracture is a well-recognised complication following ankle arthroplasty. It occurs predominantly as a stress reaction on the medial tibial metaphysis during the post-operative rehabilitation period. Occasionally it occurs during surgery. We present fractures from a single-centre series of Mobility TARs. We have 133 TARs with 3 to 48 months' follow-up. 28 patients were excluded for the following reasons: other major procedure performed concurrently (osteotomy or tendon transfer), custom prosthesis, revision surgery, fusion conversions, or patients involved in a separate RCT (n = 16). We do not routinely immobilise patients post-operatively but allow partial to full weight-bearing as able. Outcome scores were compared to those without fractures.Introduction
Materials and Methods
Ankle replacement is a major surgery with significant soft tissue dissection and bleeding. The skin quality is often poor in these patients due to age, edema, venous congestion, arteriopathy or previous procedures and soft tissue injury. The chances of wound infection increase with delayed wound healing. Absorbent non-adherent dressing (ABD) and VAC dressing applied in theatre after ankle replacement were assessed in a cohort of 147 patients with wound complications, pain, satisfaction and length of stay as outcome measures. 71 consecutive patients were treated with ABD post-operatively after ankle replacement. The practice was then changed to VAC dressings for 76 consecutive patients. 44 patients had additional procedures performed with ankle replacement (11 from ABD group and 33 from VAC group). Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data was performed. All patients had daily pain score, wound status, hospital stay, satisfaction and range of movement recorded.Introduction
Patients and methods
This project reports differences in outcome measures after total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) for patients with Osteoarthritis (OA), Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and Post-traumatic Osteoarthritis (PTOA). Patients who underwent TAA between March 2006 and May 2010 were included. Assessments including questionnaires (height, weight, Foot and Ankle Outcome Score, SF-36) and American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Score (AOFAS) were completed pre-operatively, 3, 6, and 12-months after surgery. Analyses of outcomes by diagnosis were adjusted for age, gender and BMI.Introduction
Materials and Methods
Peri prosthetic fracture is a recognised complication following Total ankle arthroplasty (TAA). There is limited literature on post operative management following TAA and controversies exist based on surgeon preferences. This project reports the incidence of peri- prosthetic fractures in patients managed with 2 different post-operative protocols. Patients undergoing primary TAA with a diagnosis of Osteoarthritis (OA) or Post-traumatic Osteoarthritis (PTOA) were recruited into a randomized controlled trial. These patients did not require any additional procedures. Patients were consented for the trial and randomized to one of two treatment groups (Early mobilisation after surgery vs. immobilisation in a plaster cast for 6 weeks post operatively). Plaster group patients underwent a graduated physiotherapy program from 6-12 weeks and early mobilisation group patients from 1-12 weeks. Complications any were recorded at 2, 4, 6 and 12 weeks post-operatively.Introduction
Materials and Methods
Total Ankle Arthroplasty (TAA) using the uncemented three component mobile design has shown encouraging results. There is limited literature on the optimal postoperative management. In our centre, TAA patients are mobilised 48 hours after surgery without a short leg plaster. The aim of this prospective audit was to measure the outcomes of these patients to ascertain if this is a safe and effective protocol. Patients who underwent primary TAA between March 2006 and March 2008 were invited to participate in the audit. Assessment included patient questionnaires which collected demographics, height and weight, Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS) and Short-Form-36 (SF-36). Clinical examination collected American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Score (AOFAS). Data was collected pre-operatively and at 3 and 6 months after surgery. A total of 48 ankle replacements in 46 patients were included. Primary diagnosis was osteoarthritis (25), post-traumatic osteoarthritis (9), and rheumatoid arthritis (12). Mean age was 63 years (range 33 to 83) and the majority were males (29, 60%). The average body mass index was 28 (SD 5.3). There were significant improvements to 3-months after surgery for AOFAS (mean 29 to 76, p<
0.0001), FAOS (mean scores changes: Pain 36 to 72, Function 41 to 68, Stiffness 38 to 65, p<
0.001) and physical domains of the SF-36 (means score changes: Physical Functioning 25 to 39, Role Physical 27 to 40, Bodily Pain 29 to 48 and Vitality 42 to 50, p<
0.05). All outcome scores were maintained with a non-significant trend for better scores from 3 to 6 months. These early results demonstrate encouraging outcomes for TAA patients who are mobilised early after surgery without a short leg plaster. Further studies of post-operative management are needed to compare outcomes after TAA between patients undergoing this protocol and patients who are immobilised in plaster.