The Outcomes of Cementless Total Ankle Arthroplasty – Pilot Study

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Since new generation ankle endoprostheses came into common use, total ankle arthroplasty has become an alternative to arthrodesis in the treatment of advanced osteoarthritis. The aim of paper was present preliminary results of cementless total ankle arthroplasty in patients with osteoarthritis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In 2012-2014, 12 cementless total arthroplasties of the ankle joint with a Mobility implant were conducted at the Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology of the Central Clinical Hospital of the Ministry of Interior in Warsaw. The patients were 7 women and 5 men aged 27-72 years. Nine of the patients had the arthroplasty procedure due to severe post-traumatic degenerative changes while 3 patients had haemophilic arthropathy. Clinical assessment was based on the AOFAS scale and the VAS pain scale. The patients were followed up for at least 6 months. RESULTS: All patients improved considerably. After surgery, the AOFAS score improved by 43.0 (+/- 7.5) points against baseline while the VAS score improved by 5.2 (+/- 0.8) points. Imaging studies revealed an anatomical position of the endoprosthesis in all patients and no evidence of implant loosening. CONCLUSIONS: 1. Cementless total ankle arthroplasty currently seems to be an optimal solution in the treatment of osteo arthritis of the ankle joint. 2. Correct qualification for surgery is a prerequisite for successful treatment.