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Updated: May 16, 2026
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Treatment of Ankle Osteoarthritis with Total Ankle Replacement Through a Lateral Transfibular Approach
Published on: January 24, 2018
History of total ankle replacement
Nikolaos Gougoulias1, Nicola Maffulli
1Department of Trauma and Orthopaedics, Frimley Park Hospital, Portsmouth Road, Camberley, Surrey, GU16 7UJ, UK.
Clinics in Podiatric Medicine and Surgery
|November 21, 2012
Summary
Ankle replacement surgery has evolved over 50 years, moving from early designs to modern three-component mobile-bearing prostheses. Patient selection and surgical specialization have expanded, making total ankle replacement suitable for more complex cases and diverse patient groups.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Biomedical Engineering
- Medical Device Evolution
Background:
- Ankle replacement attempts span over five decades.
- Early constrained, cemented prostheses are largely obsolete.
- Two-component designs show variable success.
Observation:
- Three-component mobile-bearing ankle prostheses represent the current evolutionary trend.
- Surgical specialization has improved outcomes and expanded indications.
- Patient demographics for total ankle replacement are broadening.
Findings:
- The evolution of ankle prostheses favors mobile-bearing designs.
- Increased surgical expertise allows for more complex ankle reconstructions.
- Younger, high-demand, and obese patients are increasingly considered for total ankle replacement.
Implications:
- Modern ankle replacement designs offer improved outcomes.
- Specialized surgeons can address more challenging ankle pathologies.
- Total ankle replacement is becoming a viable option for a wider patient population, including those with higher functional demands.
