CORR Insights®: Does Coronal Plane Malalignment of the Tibial Insert in Total Ankle Arthroplasty Alter Distal Foot Bone Mechanics? A Cadaveric Gait Study

Category: Ankle Arthritis Introduction/Purpose: Inadequate correction of alignment in the coronal, sagittal or axial planes will inevitably lead to failure of the Total Ankle Arthroplasty (TAA). The mechanical axis of the lower limb (MAL), the mechanical axis of the tibia (MAT) and the anatomical axis of the tibia (AAT) are three recognized coronal plane measurements using plain radiography. The relationship between anatomical and mechanical axes depends on the presence of femoral or tibial deformities from trauma or inherited conditions, or previous corrective or replacement surgery. Ankle arthroplasty relies heavily on preoperative radiographs or CT scans and the purpose of this study was to assess whether MAL, MAT and AAT are the same in a cohort of patients upon which placement of TAA is considered. Methods: We analysed 75 patients operated on between 2015 and 2016 at a specialist tertiary centre for elective orthopaedic surgery. All patients had a pre-operative long leg radiograph. They were split into 2 groups. The first group had known deformity proximal to the ankle (such as previous tibial or femoral fracture, severe arthritis, or previous reconstructive surgery) and the second group had no clinically detectable deformity. The MAL, MAT and AAT were assessed and the difference between these values was calculated. Results: There were 54 patients in the normal group, and 21 patients in the deformity group. Overall, 25 patients(33%) had a difference between all three axes of less than 1 degree. In 33 patients(44%), there was a difference in one of the axes of ≥2 degrees. There was no significant difference between MAT and AAT in patients in the normal group(p=0.6). 95% of patients had a difference of <1 degree. There was a significant difference between the MAT and AAT in patients in the deformity group(p<0.01). In the normal group, 39 patients(73%) had a difference of <2 degrees between the AAT and MAL. In the deformity group, only 10 patients (48%) had a difference of <2 degrees.In fact, 24% of patients had a difference ≥3 degrees. Conclusion: Malalignment in the coronal plane in TAA may be an issue that we have not properly addressed. Up to 66% of patients without known deformity may have a TAA that is placed at least 1 degree incorrectly relative to the MAL. We recommend the use of full-length lower limb radiographs when planning a TAA in order to plan the placement of implants. The decision to perform extramedullary referencing, intramedullary referencing, or patient specific Instrumentation must be part of the pre-operative planning process.

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Minimum 5 Year Follow-Up Evaluation of a Third Generation Fixed Bearing Total Ankle Arthroplasty with an Intramedullary Tibial Component and a Central Suclus Talus

Foot & Ankle Orthopaedics ◽

10.1177/2473011419s00278 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 4 (4) ◽

pp. 2473011419S0027

Author(s):

Evan M. Loewy ◽

Robert B. Anderson ◽

Bruce E. Cohen ◽

Carroll P. Jones ◽

W. Hodges Davis

Keyword(s):

Tibial Component ◽

Patient Reported Outcomes ◽

Total Ankle Arthroplasty ◽

Coronal Plane ◽

Third Generation ◽

Fixed Bearing ◽

Ankle Arthroplasty ◽

Patient Reported ◽

The Mean

Category: Ankle Arthritis Introduction/Purpose: Total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) has been shown to be a viable option in the treatment of end stage ankle arthritis (ESAA). Early reports demonstrated good results with intramedullary fixation implants. Third generation implants of this kind added a central sulcus to the talar component. This is a report of clinical follow up data from a prospectively collected database at a single US institution using a third generation fixed bearing total ankle arthroplasty implant with a stemmed tibial component and a talar component with a central sulcus. To our knowledge, this is the first report of 5 year follow up data for this implant. Methods: Patients undergoing primary TAA at a single institution by one of four fellowship trained orthopedic foot and ankle surgeons with a third generation fixed bearing implant consisting of an intramedullary stemmed tibial component and a sulcus talus that were at least 5 years postoperative were reviewed from a prospectively collected database. These patients were followed at regular intervals with history, physical examination and radiographs; multiple patient reported outcomes (PRO) measures were obtained. Primary outcomes included implant survivability and PRO scores. Secondary outcomes included coronal plane radiographic alignment (Medial distal tibial articular angle (MDTA) and talar tilt angle (TTA)), evaluation for osteolysis, and failure mode when applicable. All reoperation events were recorded using the Canadian Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (COFAS) Reoperations Coding System (CROCS). Results: 121 TAA with this implant were performed in 119 patients between 2010 and 2013; 64 met inclusion criteria. The mean age at surgery was 61.3 ± 10.0 years (range 38.7-84.3). The mean duration of follow up for living patients that retained both initial components at final follow-up was 6.1 ± 0.9 years (range 4.7 – 8.1 years). 26.6% of ankles had a preoperative MDTA and/or TTA greater than 10 degrees. There were 6 (9.4%) failures that occurred at a mean 2.0 ± 1.4 years postoperative. Two failures were due to deep infection. Only one failure was related to tibial component subsidence. One patient is currently scheduled for revision due to talar component subsidence. Conclusion: This cohort of TAA patients with minimum 5 year follow up using a third generation fixed bearing implant demonstrates acceptable implant survival, improved patient reported outcomes scores and maintenance of coronal plane alignment. These data also suggest tolerance of a larger preoperative deformity with improved implant design. To our knowledge, this is the first report with 5 year data on this implant. Continued follow up and reporting is needed to ensure that these favorable outcomes are maintained. Additionally, further investigation on acceptable coronal plane alignment correction with TAA is needed to determine the possible limitations of this procedure.

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Surgical Technique for Total Ankle Arthroplasty in Ankles with Preoperative Coronal Plane Varus Deformity of 10° or Greater

JBJS Essential Surgical Techniques ◽

10.2106/jbjs.st.m.00043 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 3 (4) ◽

pp. e22 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Timothy R. Daniels

Keyword(s):

Surgical Technique ◽

Varus Deformity ◽

Total Ankle Arthroplasty ◽

Coronal Plane ◽

Ankle Arthroplasty

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Mid-Term (4-10 year) Outcomes of INBONE I Total Ankle Arthroplasty with Deformity Analysis

Foot & Ankle Orthopaedics ◽

10.1177/2473011417s000190 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 2 (3) ◽

pp. 2473011417S0001

Author(s):

Andrew Harston ◽

James Nunley ◽

Mark Easley ◽

James DeOrio ◽

Samuel Adams ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Short Form ◽

Total Ankle Arthroplasty ◽

Coronal Plane ◽

Consecutive Series ◽

Ankle Arthroplasty ◽

Sf 36 ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Patient Reported ◽

Plane Deformity

Category: Ankle, Ankle Arthritis Introduction/Purpose: Concerns for limited coronal plane stability prompted the manufacturer and designers of the INBONE total ankle arthroplasty system to replace the original saddle-shaped talar component (INBONE I) with a sulcus-shaped talar component (INBONE II). Prior to the availability of the INBONE II talar component, numerous INBONE I total ankle replacements were performed. To our knowledge mid-term outcomes of INBONE I total ankle arthroplasty have not been reported. This study compares the mid-term outcomes of patients with and without preoperative coronal plane deformity who underwent total ankle replacement with the INBONE I prosthesis. In our opinion, the longer-term outcomes of the INBONE I prosthesis are important for patient and surgeon education. Methods: A consecutive series of patients, from May, 2007 to September, 2011, at a single institution who underwent total ankle arthroplasty with the INBONE I Total Ankle Arthroplasty (Wright Medical) were prospectively enrolled. Pain and patient- reported function were assessed preoperatively and at yearly follow-ups with use of a visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle- hindfoot score, the Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment (SMFA), and the Short Form-36 (SF-36) Health Survey. We analyzed the data for complications, reoperations, and failures (defined as undergoing revision for exchange or removal of the metallic components for any reason). Patients were grouped according to coronal plane tibiotalar alignment (preoperative coronal plane malalignment of >10 degrees and <10 degrees deformity) and outcomes compared. Results: One-hundred fifty-five INBONE I prostheses were implanted in 151 patients, with minimum 4 year clinical and radiographic follow-up. Follow-up ranged from 48-113 months with an average of 67 months. There was significant (p<0.05) improvement in the VAS, AOFAS, SMFA, and SF-36 scores at most recent follow-up. Forty-five patients (29%) had 49 additional surgeries for impingement, loosening/subsidence, malalignment, ligament instability, polyethylene exchange, and/or infection. There were 14 implant failures with overall survivorship of 90.3%. There was no statistically significant difference in outcomes between patients with coronal plane deformity >10 degrees (47.7%) and <10 degrees (52.3%). Patients with >10 degrees had fewer reoperations (19 vs. 30) and fewer revisions (5 vs. 9) when compared to patients with <10 degrees deformity. Conclusion: Patients who underwent INBONE I total ankle arthroplasty demonstrated significant improvement in pain and patient-reported outcomes at a mean of 5.7 years post-operatively. The patients with preoperative coronal plane tibiotalar deformity had similar pain relief, function, and need for additional surgeries and revisions. Despite the presumed shortcomings of the INBONE I’s saddle-shaped talar design, this operation shows promising results, with or without deformity, at mid-term follow- up with survivorship of 90.3%.

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Comparison of Preoperative Bone Density in Patients With and Without Periprosthetic Osteolysis Following Total Ankle Arthroplasty

Foot & Ankle International ◽

10.1177/1071100720976096 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 107110072097609

Author(s):

Gun-Woo Lee ◽

Hyoung-Yeon Seo ◽

Dong-Min Jung ◽

Keun-Bae Lee

Keyword(s):

Bone Density ◽

Ankle Joint ◽

Bone Ingrowth ◽

Distal Tibia ◽

Reference Points ◽

Total Ankle Arthroplasty ◽

Coronal Plane ◽

Periprosthetic Osteolysis ◽

Ankle Arthroplasty ◽

Press Fit

Background: Modern total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) prostheses are uncemented press-fit designs whose stability is dependent on bone ingrowth. Preoperative insufficient bone density reduces initial local stability at the bone-implant interface, and we hypothesized that this may play a role in periprosthetic osteolysis. We aimed to investigate the preoperative bone density of the distal tibia and talus and compare these in patients with and without osteolysis. Methods: We enrolled 209 patients (218 ankles) who underwent primary TAA using the HINTEGRA prosthesis. The overall mean follow-up duration was 66 (range, 24-161) months. The patients were allocated into 2 groups according to the presence of periprosthetic osteolysis: the osteolysis group (64 patients, 65 ankles) and nonosteolysis group (145 patients, 153 ankles). Between the 2 groups, we investigated and compared the radiographic outcomes, including the Hounsfield unit (HU) value around the ankle joint and the coronal plane alignment. Results: HU values of the tibia and talus measured at 5 mm from the reference points were higher than those at 10 mm in each group. However, comparing the osteolysis and nonosteolysis groups, we found no significant intergroup difference in HU value at every measured level in the tibia and talus ( P > .05). Concerning the coronal plane alignment, there were no significant between-group differences in the tibiotalar and talar tilt angles ( P > .05). Conclusions: Patients with osteolysis showed similar preoperative bone density of the distal tibia and talus compared with patients without osteolysis. Our results suggest that low bone density around the ankle joint may not be associated with increased development of osteolysis. Level of Evidence: Level III, retrospective cohort study.

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Analysis of the Effect of Tibial Stem Length on Coronal Plane Deformity of the Tibial Component in Total Ankle Arthroplasty

Foot & Ankle International ◽

10.1177/1071100719862744 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 40 (10) ◽

pp. 1166-1174 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Gregory C. Berlet ◽

Travis M. Langan ◽

Marissa D. Jamieson ◽

Allen M. Ferrucci

Keyword(s):

Tibial Component ◽

Case Series ◽

Total Ankle Arthroplasty ◽

Coronal Plane ◽

Stem Length ◽

Term Survival ◽

Ankle Arthroplasty ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Plane Deformity ◽

Stem Segments

Background:Coronal plane deformity is common in patients who undergo total ankle arthroplasty. The correction of this deformity is paramount to the long-term survival of the implant. Coronal plane correction is achieved with soft tissue balancing and, in some part, is maintained through articular geometry constraint. The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of tibial component stem length on the coronal plane stability.Methods:A consecutive case series of stemmed implants that met inclusion criteria were reviewed to determine the correction and maintenance of the correction of coronal plane deformity with special emphasis on the effect of modular tibial stem lengths of 2 and >2 segments. Twenty patients received a tibial component with 2 stem segments, and 23 patients received a tibial component with >2 stem segments. At an average patient age of 62.1 years at implantation, there was no significant difference between the 2 cohorts with respect to preoperative deformity or demographics.Results:Our case series had a mean coronal deformity of 5.7 degrees, with valgus being more common than varus. At a mean final radiographic follow-up of 266.3 days after the first postoperative weightbearing radiography, coronal deformity increased by 0.4 degrees ( P = .031). From the first postoperative measurement to the last postoperative measurement, there was no difference in mean coronal plane ankle deformity change between patients who received 2 stem segments and patients who received >2 stem segments ( t = −1.14, df = 41, P = .259).Conclusion:Coronal plane deformity had a tendency to recur, albeit at a much smaller angle than preoperatively. This recurrence of deformity did not occur because of tibial component movement. Tibial stem lengths of >2 segments did not influence the maintenance of correction of coronal plane deformity or the stability of the tibial component in the coronal plane.Level of Evidence:Level III, retrospective comparative series.

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Functional Outcome Risk Score for Total Ankle Arthroplasty

Foot & Ankle Orthopaedics ◽

10.1177/2473011418s00086 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 3 (3) ◽

pp. 2473011418S0008

Author(s):

Elizabeth McDonald ◽

Kristen Nicholson ◽

Max Greenky ◽

Benjamin Hendy ◽

Abhay Mathur ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Logistic Regression ◽

Functional Outcome ◽

Risk Score ◽

Functional Outcomes ◽

Ligament Reconstruction ◽

Total Ankle Arthroplasty ◽

Coronal Plane ◽

Ankle Arthroplasty ◽

Calculated Risk ◽

Plane Deformity

Category: Ankle Introduction/Purpose: Postoperative functional outcomes are important measures as the orthopaedic community responds to pay-for-performance and bundled payments. Considering the 1000-fold growth of total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) procedures in the Medicare population in the past two decades, this procedure will likely undergo increasing scrutiny of quality under Medicare Access and Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2015(MACRA). While BMI, coronal plane deformity, age, and rheumatoid arthritis influence outcomes and rate of complications after TAA, there has been no single identifiable factor that predicts poor functional outcomes. The aim of this study is to identify independent patient factors that are associated with lower functional outcomes at two years after TAA and compound these predictive factors into an easily calculable score to preoperatively stratify patients undergoing modern TAA. Methods: 134 consecutive patients (136 ankles) with a mean age of 64 years (range, 31 to 79 years) and 70 (51%) men that had undergone TAA by a single surgeon from May 2011 to May 2015 were retrospectively enrolled. In addition to 2-year functional outcomes for each patient, 22 data point were collected including preoperative range of motion; baseline functional scores; and a comprehensive health history. FAAM ADL scores at 2-years were grouped into excellent (>90 points), good (75-90), or fair (<75). Univariable analyses tested for the association between demographics, medical history, functional outcomes, and procedure factors using chi-squared tests for categorical variables and either one-way ANOVAs or Kruskal Wallis tests for continuous variables. Model coefficients from a multivariable ordinal logistic regression analysis for the significant predictors of excellent, good, or fair outcomes were used to create a summed risk score to predict inferior 2-year outcome scores. Results: Ninety-one patients met the inclusion criteria. The only predictors associated with inferior functional outcomes were (1) baseline ADL score (2) no calcaneal osteotomy for coronal plane deformity (3) lateral or deltoid ligament reconstruction and (4) post-traumatic/chronic sprain etiology and BMI >30. From the multivariable ordinal logistic regression, baseline ADL scores less than 40 had a weight of 2 while an ADL score of 40-55 had a weight of 1. The remaining factors were weighted 3, 2, 1 for ligament reconstruction, no calcaneal osteotomy, and obese+sprain. Of the 23 patients with a calculated risk of 0-2, 18 did excellent and 2 did fair. Conversely, of the 22 patients with a calculated risk score of 4+, only 2 did excellent and 15 did fair (Table 1). Conclusion: Over twenty baseline and surgical factors were considered when creating a clinical scoring system that compounds the effect of risk factors on postoperative foot and ankle functional outcome measures at two years. Ligament reconstruction was the highest weighted factor(3-points), which suggests soft tissue stabilization needs to be considered in conjunction with boney correction. As previous literature supports, preoperative coronal plane deformity when corrected appropriately can lead to greater likelihood for superior outcomes when compared to patients without this deformity. This novel risk score takes into account 5 easily-obtainable factors and may help to better set patient expectations prior to TAA.

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Outcomes of Total Ankle Arthroplasty in Ankles with >20° of Coronal Plane Deformity

The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (American) ◽

10.2106/jbjs.19.00416 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 101 (24) ◽

pp. 2203-2211 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Gun-Woo Lee ◽

Keun-Bae Lee

Keyword(s):

Total Ankle Arthroplasty ◽

Coronal Plane ◽

Ankle Arthroplasty ◽

Plane Deformity

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Total Ankle Arthroplasty With Valgus Deformity

Foot & Ankle International ◽

10.1177/1071100720985281 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 107110072098528

Author(s):

Camilo Piga ◽

Camilla Maccario ◽

Riccardo D’Ambrosi ◽

Fausto Romano ◽

Federico Giuseppe Usuelli

Keyword(s):

Cohort Study ◽

Retrospective Cohort Study ◽

Retrospective Cohort ◽

Valgus Deformity ◽

Total Ankle Arthroplasty ◽

Coronal Plane ◽

Short Term ◽

Ankle Arthroplasty ◽

Neutral Alignment

Background: A substantial coronal plane deformity is common in the context of end-stage ankle osteoarthritis. Recent literature shows a trend toward extending the indication of total ankle arthroplasty in increasingly severe coronal deformities, showing promising results when correct alignment is achieved. Nevertheless, the results of lateral transfibular total ankle replacement (LTTAR) in valgus has not been extensively studied. We aimed to evaluate if the outcomes of LTTAR in ankles with valgus deformity were similar to those with no major deformity at short-term follow-up. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 228 LTTARs. Patients were classified into 2 groups according to the preoperative coronal plane tibiotalar angle (TTS): neutral (less than 10 degrees of coronal deformity, 209 patients) and valgus (above 10 degrees of valgus, 19 patients). Clinical evaluation was performed using the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) score, visual analog scale (VAS), 12-Item Short Form Health Survey 12 (SF-12) regarding its Physical and Mental Component Summary items. The radiographic evaluation considered anteroposterior and lateral ankle radiographs. Complications were also registered and classified as major or minor. The minimum follow-up was 2 years. Results: The average AOFAS, VAS, and SF-12 scores improved significantly postoperatively ( P < .001), without differences between groups. At final radiographic follow-up, the valgus alignment group did not show significant differences with the neutral alignment group regarding TTS, lateral distal tibial angle, or anterior distal tibial angle ( P > .05). Conclusion: LTTAR in cases with valgus deformity achieved and maintained correction at short-term follow-up, as obtained in neutral alignment ankles. Clinical outcomes improved significantly regardless of preoperative valgus deformity. Level of Evidence: Prognostic Level III, retrospective cohort study.

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