Introduction. Total ankle replacement (TAR) is performed for post-traumatic arthritis, inflammatory arthropathy, osteoarthritis and other indications. The Scottish Arthroplasty Project (SAP) began collection of data on TAR in 1997. In this study, using data from the SAP, we look at trends in the use and outcomes of TAR in Scotland. Methods. We identified 499 patients from the SAP who underwent TAR between 1997 and 2015 with imaging available on the National Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS). We identified, and looked at trends in, implant type over the following time periods: 1998–2005; 2006–2010 and 2011–2015. Age, gender, indication and outcomes for each time period were examined and also trends with implant type over time. Results. There were 499 primary TAR procedures with an overall incidence of 0.5/10. 5. population per year. Eight different implants were identified with significant changes in the numbers of each type used over time. The peak incidence of TAR was in the 6th decade. The mean age of patients undergoing TAR from 59 years in 1997–2005, to 65 years in 2011–15 (p< 0.0001). The percentage of patients with inflammatory arthropathy was 52% in 1997–2005, compared with 10% in 2011–2015. Subsequent arthrodesis and infection rates appeared to be higher during the first time period. The female to male ratio also changed over time. The incidence of TAR increased overall during the study period (r= 0.9, p=< 0.0001). This may be due to a broadening range of indications and patient selection criteria, in turn due to increased surgeon experience and the evolution of implant design. Conclusion. This study examines a large number of TARs from an established arthroplasty registry. The rate of TAR has increased significantly in Scotland from 1997 to 2015. Indication and patient age has changed over time and this could potentially impact outcomes after ankle replacement

Aims

When a total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) fails, it can be converted to a fusion or a revision arthroplasty. Despite the increasing numbers of TAAs being undertaken, there is little information in the literature about the management of patients undergoing fusion following a failed TAA. The primary aim of this study was to analyze the survival of fusions following a failed TAA using a large dataset from the National Joint Registry (NJR).

We describe the early results of a prospective study of 100 total ankle replacements (96 patients) at a single centre using the Mobility Total Ankle Replacement. At final review, six patients had died and five ankles (5%) had been revised, two by fusion and three by exchange of components. All remaining patients were reviewed at a minimum of three years. The mean follow-up was 43 months (4 to 63). The three-year survival was 97% (95% confidence interval (CI) 91 to 99). The four-year survival was 93.6% (95% CI 84.7 to 97.4). The portion of bony interface that was visible on plain radiograph was divided into 15 zones and a radiolucent line or osteolytic cavity was seen in one zone in 14 ankles. It was not seen in more than one zone. In five ankles it was > 10 mm in width.

This study suggests that the early outcome of ankle replacement is comparable to that of other total joint replacements.

Between 2002 and 2008, 130 consecutive ankles were replaced with an hydroxyapatite (HA) and titanium-HA-coated Ankle Evolutive System total ankle prosthesis. Plain radiographs were analysed by two independent observers. Osteolytic lesions were classified by their size and location, with cavities > 10 mm in diameter considered to be ‘marked’. CT scanning was undertaken in all patients with marked osteolysis seen on the plain radiographs.

Osteolytic lesions were seen on the plain films in 48 (37%) and marked lesions in 27 (21%) ankles. The risk for osteolysis was found to be 3.1 (95% confidence interval 1.6 to 5.9) times higher with implants with Ti-HA porous coating.

Care should be taken with ankle arthroplasty until more is known about the reasons for these severe osteolyses.