scholarly journals Assessing the Ankle Joint Line Level Before and After Total Ankle Arthroplasty With the “Joint Line Height Ratio”

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 247301141988435
Author(s):  
Thos Harnroongroj ◽  
Amelia Hummel ◽  
Scott J. Ellis ◽  
Carolyn M. Sofka ◽  
Kristin C. Caolo ◽  
...  

Background: Restoring the joint line is an important principle in total knee arthroplasty. However, the effect of joint line level on patient outcomes after total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) remains unclear, as there is no established method for measuring ankle joint level in TAA. The objective of this study was to develop a reliable radiographic ankle joint line measurement method and to compare ankle joint line level measured pre-TAA, post-TAA, and in nonarthritic ankles. Methods: A total of 112 radiographic sets were analyzed. Each set included weightbearing anteroposterior radiographs of the operative ankle taken preoperatively, 1-year postoperatively, and of the contralateral ankle. Measurements of vertical intermalleolar distance (VIMD) and vertical joint line distance (VJLD) at pre-TAA, post-TAA, and of the contralateral ankle were recorded by 2 authors on 2 separate occasions. The ratio of VJLD to VIMD was defined as the joint line height ratio (JLHR). Reliability of measurements and correlation between VIMD and VJLD were assessed. Pre-TAA, nonarthritic contralateral ankle, and post-TAA JLHR were compared and considered significantly different if P <.05. Results: The inter- and intrarater reliability of radiographic measurements was excellent ( r > 0.9). There were strong positive correlations of VIMD and VJLD, r = 0.809 (pre-TAA)/0.756 (post-TAA), P < .001. Mean (SD) pre-TAA, nonarthritic contralateral ankle, and post-TAA JLHRs were 1.54 (0.31), 1.39 (0.26), and 1.62 (0.49), respectively. Pre- and post-TAA JLHRs were significantly higher compared to the nonarthritic contralateral ankle ( P < .05). JHLR was not significantly different between pre- and post-TAA ( P = .15). Conclusion: The JLHR was reliable and could be a clinically applicable method for assessing ankle joint line level in patients undergoing TAA. End-stage ankle arthritis demonstrated elevated joint line level compared with nonarthritic ankles, and the joint line level post-TAA remained elevated compared with nonarthritic ankles. Further studies are needed to understand the effect of joint line elevation on clinical outcomes after TAA. Level of Evidence: Level III, retrospective comparative study.

2020 ◽  
pp. 107110072097093
Author(s):  
Hyuck Sung Son ◽  
Jung Gyu Choi ◽  
Jungtae Ahn ◽  
Bi O Jeong

Background: In patients with end-stage varus ankle osteoarthritis (OA), hindfoot varus malalignment resulting from the varus deformity of the ankle joint is common. Although total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) performed to correct varus deformity of the ankle joint has the effect of correcting hindfoot alignment, no reports to date have described how much hindfoot alignment correction can be achieved. The purpose of this study was to identify correlation between ankle deformity correction and hindfoot alignment change after performing TAA in patients with end-stage varus ankle OA. Methods: A total of 61 cases that underwent TAA for end-stage varus ankle OA and followed up for at least 1 year were enrolled for this study. Correlation between changes of tibial-ankle surface angle (TAS), talar tilt (TT), and tibiotalar surface angle (TTS) and changes of hindfoot alignment angle (HA), hindfoot alignment ratio (HR), and hindfoot alignment distance (HD) measured preoperatively and at postoperative year 1 was analyzed. Results: TAS, TT, and TTS changed from 83.9 ± 4.1 degrees, 5.8 ± 5.0 degrees, and 78.1 ± 5.9 degrees, respectively, before operation to 89.2 ± 2.1 degrees, 0.4 ± 0.5 degrees, and 88.7 ± 2.3 degrees, respectively, after operation. HA, HR, and HD also changed from −9.2 ± 4.6 degrees, 0.66 ± 0.18, and −11.2 ± 6.9 mm to −3.7 ± 4.1 degrees, 0.48 ± 0.14, and −5.0 ± 5.3 mm. All the changes were statistically significant ( P < .001, respectively). The regression slope of correlation was 0.390 ( R2 = 0.654) between TTS and HA; 0.017 ( R2 = 0.617) between TTS and HR; and 0.560 ( R2 = 0.703) between TTS and HD. Conclusion: In patients with end-stage varus ankle OA, changes of hindfoot alignment could be predicted based on degree of ankle deformity corrected with TAA. Level of Evidence: Level IV, case series.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (8) ◽  
pp. 937-944
Author(s):  
Jungtae Ahn ◽  
Myung Chul Yoo ◽  
Jeunghwan Seo ◽  
Moonsu Park ◽  
Bi O Jeong

Background: Total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) can result in excellent outcomes in patients with end-stage arthritis, but most patients with end-stage hemophilic ankle arthropathy (ESHAA) still undergo ankle arthrodesis (AA). The purpose of this study was to analyze clinical and radiological results of TAA and AA for ESHAA. Methods: A total of 29 cases (16 TAAs and 13 AAs) of painful ESHAA were included. For clinical outcome evaluation, visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, Foot Function Index (FFI), and range of motion (ROM) were analyzed. Postoperative clinical and radiological complications were also analyzed. The mean duration of follow-up was 6.8 ± 3.0 years. The mean age was 44.1 ± 9.9 years. Results: The VAS for pain was significantly improved from 5.5 ± 2.3 to 0.9 ± 1.2 ( P < .001). The FFI scale was significantly improved from 61.6% ± 15.5% to 16.6% ± 15.4% ( P < .001). In FFI disability and activity subscales, the TAA group exhibited meaningful outcomes relative to those of the AA group ( P = .012 and .036, respectively). The total ROM in the TAA group changed from 30.8 ± 12.6 degrees to 37.3 ± 12.8 degrees at final follow-up ( P = .090). Three cases of osteolysis and 1 case of heterotopic ossification were noted in the TAA group. No cases of nonunion were noted in the AA group. Progressive arthrosis of adjacent joints after AA was observed in 1 case. Conclusion: Both TAA and AA in ESHAA exhibited significant improvement in pain based on VAS and FFI scales. Compared to AA, TAA resulted in superior outcomes in FFI disability and activity subscales, suggesting that TAA may be considered as a surgical option alongside AA for ESHAA. Level of Evidence: Level III, retrospective comparative study.


2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 2473011419S0020
Author(s):  
Thos Harnroongroj ◽  
Amelia Hummel ◽  
Carolyn Sofka ◽  
Scott J. Ellis ◽  
Jonathan Deland ◽  
...  

Category: Ankle Arthritis Introduction/Purpose: n important principle of joint replacement is to restore the joint line to its native level. Previous studies have demonstrated a correlation between clinical outcomes and our ability to restore the joint in total knee arthroplasty. To date, there has been no study to assess restoration of joint height in total ankle replacement (TAR). In addition, there is no accepted method for assess joint line height in patients who undergo TAR. The objective of this study is to develop a reliable radiographic ankle joint line level measurement. Additionally, the measure will be used to evaluate and compare ankle joint line levels seen on pre-TAR, post-TAR, and non-arthritic contralateral ankle radiographs. Methods: One hundred and twelve primary TAR patients with weightbearing preoperative (pre-TAR) and 1-year postoperative (post-TAR) anteroposterior (AP) ankle radiographs were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with bilateral disease, concomitant malleolar osteotomy, and component subsidence were excluded. Two raters measured the vertical intermalleolar distance (VIMD, Figure 1) and the vertical joint line distance (VJLD, Figure 1) for all radiographs (pre-TAR, post-TAR, and contralateral normal ankle) on two separate occasions. The measurement ”joint line height ratio” was calculated as the ratio of the VJLD to the VIMD (Figure 1). Reliability was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). Pearson correlation test was used to assess the level of correlation between the VJLD and the VIMD. The comparisons of pre-TAR, non-arthritic contralateral ankle, and post- TAR “joint line height ratio” were performed using paired t-tests and considered significantly different if p < 0.05. Results: Inter/intra-rater reliabilities of all measurements were excellent (r>0.9). Pearson correlation test demonstrated strong positive correlations of VIMD and VJLD with r 0.809 for pre-TAR and r 0.756 for post-TAR, p<0.001. Mean(SD) VIMDs for pre- TAR, non-arthritis contralateral ankle, and post-TAR were 17.91(4.79), 18.96(4.67) and 17.37(4.76) mm. Mean(SD) VJLDs for pre- TAR, non-arthritis contralateral ankle, and post-TAR were 26.49(4.64), 25.47(4.12) and 26.70(5.31) mm. Additionally, mean(SD) ”joint line height ratio” for pre-TAR, non-arthritic contralateral, and post-TAR ankle radiographs were 1.54(0.31), 1.39(0.26) and 1.62(0.49). The “joint line height ratio” of pre- and post-TAR was significantly higher compared to non-arthritic contralateral ankle (p 0.0001 and < 0.0001), respectively. No significant difference in ”joint line height ratio” was found between pre- and post-TAR(p = 0.15). Conclusion: The “joint line height ratio” was a reliable tool for assessing the ankle joint line pre and post-TAR. End-stage ankle arthritis leads to an elevated joint line compared to non-arthritic ankle. The joint line level after TAR was preserved to that measured before TAR, but not restored compared to the non-arthritic contralateral ankle. When performing TAR, joint line level restoration should be evaluated compared to the contralateral non-arthritic ankle radiograph. The amount of tibial cut should be minimized as much as possible to prevent further bone loss and ankle joint line elevation.


2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (1_suppl) ◽  
pp. 3S-4S
Author(s):  
Ilker Uçkay ◽  
Christopher B. Hirose ◽  
Mathieu Assal

Recommendation: Every intra-articular injection of the ankle is an invasive procedure associated with potential healthcare-associated infections, including periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) following total ankle arthroplasty (TAA). Based on the limited current literature, the ideal timing for elective TAA after corticosteroid injection for the symptomatic native ankle joint is unknown. The consensus workgroup recommends that at least 3 months pass after corticosteroid injection and prior to performing TAA. Level of Evidence: Limited. Delegate Vote: Agree: 92%, Disagree: 8%, Abstain: 0% (Super Majority, Strong Consensus)


2018 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 210-217 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Cunningham ◽  
Vasili Karas ◽  
James K. DeOrio ◽  
James A. Nunley ◽  
Mark E. Easley ◽  
...  

Background: The Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement (CJR) model provides bundled payments for in-hospital and 90-day postdischarge care of patients undergoing total ankle arthroplasty (TAA). Defining patient factors associated with increased costs during TAA could help identify modifiable preoperative patient factors that could be addressed prior to the patient entering the bundle, as well as determine targets for cost reduction in postoperative care. Methods: This study is part of an institutional review board–approved single-center observational study of patients undergoing TAA from January 1, 2012, to December 15, 2016. Patients were included if they met CJR criteria for inclusion into the bundled payment model. All Medicare payments beginning at the index procedure through 90 days postoperatively were identified. Patient, operative, and postoperative characteristics were associated with costs in adjusted, multivariable analyses. One hundred thirty-seven patients met inclusion criteria for the study. Results: Cerebrovascular disease (intracranial hemorrhages, strokes, or transient ischemic attacks) was initially associated with increased costs (mean, $5595.25; 95% CI, $1710.22-$9480.28) in adjusted analyses ( P = .005), though this variable did not meet a significance threshold adjusted for multiple comparisons. Increased length of stay, discharge to a skilled nursing facility (SNF), admissions, emergency department (ED) visits, and wound complications were significant postoperative drivers of payment. Conclusion: Common comorbidities did not reliably predict increased costs. Increased length of stay, discharge to an SNF, readmission, ED visits, and wound complications were postoperative factors that considerably increased costs. Lastly, reducing the rates of SNF placement, readmission, ED visitation, and wound complications are targets for reducing costs for patients undergoing TAA. Level of Evidence: Level II, prognostic prospective cohort study.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (12) ◽  
pp. 1519-1528
Author(s):  
Jonathan Day ◽  
Jaeyoung Kim ◽  
Martin J. O’Malley ◽  
Constantine A. Demetracopoulos ◽  
Jonathan Garfinkel ◽  
...  

Background: The Salto Talaris is a fixed-bearing implant first approved in the US in 2006. While early surgical outcomes have been promising, mid- to long-term survivorship data are limited. The aim of this study was to present the survivorship and causes of failure of the Salto Talaris implant, with functional and radiographic outcomes. Methods: Eighty-seven prospectively followed patients who underwent total ankle arthroplasty with the Salto Talaris between 2007 and 2015 at our institution were retrospectively identified. Of these, 82 patients (85 ankles) had a minimum follow-up of 5 (mean, 7.1; range, 5-12) years. The mean age was 63.5 (range, 42-82) years and the mean body mass index was 28.1 (range, 17.9-41.2) kg/m2. Survivorship was determined by incidence of revision, defined as removal/exchange of a metal component. Preoperative, immediate, and minimum 5-year postoperative AP and lateral weightbearing radiographs were reviewed; tibiotalar alignment (TTA) and the medial distal tibial angle (MDTA) were measured to assess coronal talar and tibial alignment, respectively. The sagittal tibial angle (STA) was measured; the talar inclination angle (TIA) was measured to evaluate for radiographic subsidence of the implant, defined as a change in TIA of 5 degrees or more from the immediately to the latest postoperative lateral radiograph. The locations of periprosthetic cysts were documented. Preoperative and minimum 5-year postoperative Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS) subscales were compared. Results: Survivorship was 97.6% with 2 revisions. One patient underwent tibial and talar component revision for varus malalignment of the ankle; another underwent talar component revision for aseptic loosening and subsidence. The rate of other reoperations was 21.2% ( n = 18), with the main reoperation being exostectomy with debridement for ankle impingement ( n = 12). At final follow-up, the average TTA improved 4.4 (± 3.8) degrees, the average MDTA improved 3.4 (± 2.6) degrees, and the average STA improved 5.3 (± 4.5) degrees. Periprosthetic cysts were observed in 18 patients, and there was no radiographic subsidence. All FAOS subscales demonstrated significant improvement at final follow-up. Conclusions: We found the Salto Talaris implant to be durable, consistent with previous studies of shorter follow-up lengths. We observed significant improvement in radiographic alignment as well as patient-reported clinical outcomes at a minimum 5-year follow-up. Level of Evidence: Level IV, retrospective case series.


2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 247301141984100
Author(s):  
Kempland C. Walley ◽  
Christopher B. Arena ◽  
Paul J. Juliano ◽  
Michael C. Aynardi

Background: Prosthetic joint infection (PJI) after total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) is a serious complication that results in significant consequences to the patient and threatens the survival of the ankle replacement. PJI in TAA may require debridement, placement of antibiotic spacer, revision arthroplasty, conversion to arthrodesis, or potentially below the knee amputation. While the practice of TAA has gained popularity in recent years, there is some minimal data regarding wound complications in acute or chronic PJI of TAA. However, of the limited studies that describe complications of PJI of TAA, even fewer studies describe the criteria used in diagnosing PJI. This review will cover the current available literature regarding total ankle arthroplasty infection and will propose a model for treatment options for acute and chronic PJI in TAA. Methods: A review of the current literature was conducted to identify clinical investigations in which prosthetic joint infections occurred in total ankle arthroplasty with associated clinical findings, radiographic imaging, and functional outcomes. The electronic databases for all peer-reviewed published works available through January 31, 2018, of the Cochrane Library, PubMed MEDLINE, and Google Scholar were explored using the following search terms and Boolean operators: “total ankle replacement” OR “total ankle arthroplasty” AND “periprosthetic joint infection” AND “diagnosis” OR “diagnostic criteria.” An article was considered eligible for inclusion if it concerned diagnostic criteria of acute or chronic periprosthetic joint infection of total ankle arthroplasty regardless of the number of patients treated, type of TAA utilized, conclusion, or level of evidence of study. Results: No studies were found in the review of the literature describing criteria for diagnosing PJI specific to TAA. Conclusions: Literature describing the diagnosis and treatment of PJI in TAA is entirely reliant on the literature surrounding knee and hip arthroplasty. Because of the limited volume of total ankle arthroplasty in comparison to knee and hip arthroplasty, no studies to our knowledge exist describing diagnostic criteria specific to total ankle arthroplasty with associated reliability. Large multicenter trials may be required to obtain the volume necessary to accurately describe diagnostic criteria of PJI specific to TAA. Level of Evidence: Level III, systematic review.


2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (1_suppl) ◽  
pp. 62S-63S
Author(s):  
Jonathan Kaplan ◽  
Steven Raikin

Recommendation: Yes. Deep chronic infection after total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) requires implant removal unless otherwise contraindicated. Level of Evidence: Strong. Delegate Vote: Agree: 100%, Disagree: 0%, Abstain: 0% (Unanimous, Strongest Consensus).


2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (11) ◽  
pp. 1273-1281 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gun-Woo Lee ◽  
Asep Santoso ◽  
Keun-Bae Lee

Background: Ankle ligamentous injuries without fracture can result in end-stage ligamentous post-traumatic osteoarthritis, which may cause ligamentous imbalance after total ankle arthroplasty (TAA). However, outcomes of TAA in these patients are not well known. The purpose of this study was to evaluate intermediate-term clinical and radiographic outcomes of TAA in patients with ligamentous post-traumatic osteoarthritis and compare them with results of TAA for patients with primary osteoarthritis. Methods: We enrolled 114 patients (119 ankles) with consecutive primary TAA using HINTEGRA prosthesis at a mean follow-up duration of 6.0 years (range, 3-13). We divided all patients into 2 groups according to the etiology of osteoarthritis: (1) primary osteoarthritis group (69 ankles) and (2) ligamentous post-traumatic osteoarthritis group (50 ankles). Results: There was no significant intergroup difference in mean Ankle Osteoarthritis Scale (AOS), American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score, Short Form-36 Physical Component Summary, visual analog scale pain score, ankle range of motion, or complications at the final follow-up. However, the final tibiotalar angle was less corrected to 4.2 degrees in the ligamentous post-traumatic osteoarthritis group compared to 2.7 degrees in the primary osteoarthritis group ( P = .001). More concomitant procedures were required at the index surgery for the ligamentous post-traumatic osteoarthritis group ( P = .001). The estimated 5-year survivorship was 93.4% (primary osteoarthritis group: 91.3%; ligamentous post-traumatic osteoarthritis group: 95.8%). Conclusions: Clinical outcomes, complication rate, and 5-year survivorship of TAA in ankles with primary and ligamentous post-traumatic osteoarthritis were comparable with intermediate-term follow-up. Our results suggest that TAA would be a reliable treatment in ankles with ligamentous post-traumatic osteoarthritis when neutrally aligned stable ankles are achieved postoperatively. Level of Evidence: Level III, retrospective cohort study.


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