The AES total ankle replacement: A mid-term analysis of 93 cases

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Arthroplasty Research
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Limited studies exist on specific total ankle arthroplasties.
• This research focuses on the AES prosthesis, a specific type of total ankle replacement.
• Evaluating mid-term survival data is crucial for understanding implant longevity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report mid-term survival data for the AES prosthesis.
• To analyze the survivorship and complication rates of AES total ankle replacements.
• To assess the safety and efficacy of the AES prosthesis in a clinical setting.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective analysis of 93 AES ankle arthroplasties performed by senior surgeons.
• A mean follow-up period of 3.5 years was maintained.
• Analysis included 5-year survivorship, simultaneous procedures, reoperations, additional procedures, and revisions.

Main Results:

• The 5-year survivorship, with revision for any reason as the endpoint, was 90%.
• Seven revisions were performed, with causes including loosening, infection, instability, and fractures.
• Twenty-seven reoperations or additional procedures were conducted, most commonly for malleolar impingement or hindfoot varus correction.

Conclusions:

• The AES total ankle replacement is a reasonably safe procedure when performed by experienced surgeons.
• The study provides valuable mid-term survival data for the AES prosthesis.
• Understanding complication patterns aids in optimizing surgical techniques and patient selection.