Lateral approach total ankle joint replacement with concomitant rearfoot procedures: A retrospective short term outcomes study

Abstract

In ankle arthroplasty, there has been a paucity of literature surrounding concomitant procedures performed in addition to the arthroplasty itself. Both anterior and lateral approaches certainly have pros and cons relating to soft tissue healing, bone resection logistics, and cut orientation. There has been a disparity in the literature regarding which approach may be superior, and our center has demonstrated significant success utilizing the lateral approach. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect, if any, that additional procedures had upon a lateral approach total ankle arthroplasty (TAA). We performed a retrospective review of 12 patients treated with lateral approach TAA with ancillary procedures (STJ, TN fusion, syndesmotic repair, 1st MPJ fusion, Peroneal repair, and TAL). Final post operative AOFAS scores averaged 89.25 amongst all patients, much greater than previously reported for lateral approach TAR performed in isolation. At an average follow up of 23.7 months, there were no reported nonunions and infection rate was 0 %. The results from the present retrospective study suggests that during a lateral approach with additional hindfoot procedures, there are similar postoperative functional and radiographic outcomes compared to that published with anterior approach total ankle arthroplasty alone.

Keywords

• Total ankle arthroplasty
• Subtalar joint
• Talonavicular joint
• Ankle arthritis