Salvage Arthrodesis with Femoral Head Allograft for Failed Total Ankle Arthroplasty

Abstract

Category: Ankle Introduction/Purpose: Failed total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) often results in significant bone loss and requires salvage arthrodesis. The aim of this study was to investigate the outcomes of Salvage arthrodesis with allo-bone block for failed TAA. Methods: This study included 8 patients who underwent salvage arthrodesis with femoral head allograft for failed TAA from August 2012 to March 2018 because of loosing of TAA implant. The mean age of the patients was 71 years (range, 54-81 years), and the mean follow-up period was 32 months (range, 12 to 84 months). Allograft problem and alignment of joint were evaluated radiographically. American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) scores, Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS), and visual analogue scale (VAS) pain scores were recorded preoperatively and at the time of final followup. Functional questionnaires were used to assess the duration for which the patient could walk continuously, use of walking aids, consumption of pain medication, and the patient’s subjective assessment of the percentage of overall improvement compared with before the salvage arthrodesis. Results: The allograft was retained without collapse for a mean of 24 months (range, 12 to 36 months) in four patients. Collapse of the allograft was observed in four patients at a mean of 11 months (range, 9 to 16 months), 1 of 4 patients were conserved to retrograde intramedullary nail at postoperative 12 months because of with implant failure and nonunion. The mean AOFAS and VAS pain scores improved from 12 (range, 8 to 40) preoperatively to 63 (range, 38 to 75) postoperatively (p = 0.001) and from 7 (range, 6 to 10 to 3 (range, 2 to 8) (p = 0.001), respectively. At the final follow-up evaluation, 6 of 8 patients were able to walk continuously at least 30 minutes with walking aid. Conclusion: The successful rate of salvage arthrodesis with femoral head allograft was 75% (Six of total 8 patients). The incidence rate of allograft collapse was 50% (Four of total 8 patients).